Legislators and Advocates Educate Communities on Accessing Job and Consumer Benefits of Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Monday, October 17, 2022

Contact: Hannah Lee Flath, hannahlee.flath@sierraclub.org, (860) 634-0225 

Springfield, IL. -- As the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) prepares to launch the clean jobs workforce programs created by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in early 2023, legislators and advocates across Illinois are working to educate local communities about these workforce programs and other benefits of CEJA. At recent Town Hall meetings, advocates with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition teamed up with Senator Scott Bennett and Representative Carol Ammons in Champaign and Senator Steve Stadelman, Representative Maurice West, and Representative Dave Vella in Rockford to discuss how consumers and communities can reap the benefits of CEJA’s nation-leading climate and equity policies. 

“The benefits of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) extend beyond this generation. Starting early next year, the clean jobs workforce program here in Champaign and Danville will prepare and train Illinoisans for jobs created by CEJA,” said State Senator Bennett. “These jobs will help build out the renewable energy resources needed to ensure that Illinois meets its clean energy goals while protecting future generations from dangerous carbon pollution.” 

CEJA creates a statewide network of 13 clean energy workforce hubs, which will also include a contractor incubator program, which will prepare and train Illinois residents for jobs created by CEJA while also ensuring that people who have historically faced economic and environmental barriers are prioritized. Amidst the recent news that clean energy jobs grew 5% in Illinois in 2021, these workforce hubs, training programs, and other programs within CEJA will bring even greater economic opportunities to communities like Rockford, Danville, and Champaign in the years ahead. At recent town halls, advocates with Citizens Utility Board, Eco-Justice Collaborative, Faith in Place, the Illinois Environmental Council, Prairie Rivers Network, and Sierra Club Illinois joined local legislators to discuss these benefits. 

“CEJA will transition Illinois to a cleaner economy while also building economic stability in our communities,” said State Representative Ammons. “We need to ensure that the programs in CEJA are implemented equitably so that they benefit those who need them the most. The workforce hub coming to our community will be critical to ensuring that happens.” 

DCEO plans to start training the next generation of the clean energy workforce in early 2023, and is calling on community organizations, residents, workforce leaders, clean energy businesses, and more to provide input on the new clean energy jobs curriculum that will be used to train the next generation of the clean energy workforce. Community members and advocates can learn more and share feedback via bit.ly/3fZ5xr9.

“Since Rockford will be home to one of these workforce hubs, I encourage members of the local community to share their vision for our clean energy future, particularly as it pertains to job training, the workforce, and equity,” said State Senator Stadelman. “Your voice is critical to ensuring Illinois can begin training the next generation of our clean energy workforce in early 2023.”

In addition to discussions about building the clean energy workforce, the recent town halls also discussed other benefits of CEJA. The legislation, which was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in September 2021, puts Illinois on a path to 100% renewable energy by transitioning away from expensive fossil fuels while prioritizing equity and Illinois’ green economy.

“In addition to making strides to increase the number of clean energy jobs across the state, CEJA also has policies and programs that help consumers save money every day,” said State Representative Vella. “The incentives in CEJA make solar energy more affordable for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities. Similarly, policies in CEJA, combined with provisions in the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act that also passed last year, help make electric vehicles more affordable and accessible.” 

“When drafting CEJA, we made sure that people of color and people in underrepresented communities have access to the resources and the dollars that the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act offers,” said State Representative West. “CEJA includes history-making policies and programs because equity is truly central to this legislation.”