Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)
The Climate and Equity Jobs Act is a bill that was drafted by the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition(of which Eco-Justice Collaborative is a part) and negotiated with Illinois' Governor and key stakeholders. CEJA has the support of climate and environmental justice advocates, underserved businesses, the clean energy industry, labor unions, and the Governor’s office. It is significant leap forward on climate change and nation-leading equity standard that assures every part of the state shares in the promise of the clean energy economy.
The bill, signed into law in September of 2021, addresses climate, equity, and jobs. This urgent, job-creating plan puts Illinois on a path to a 100% clean energy future while providing a just transition for workers and communities historically dependent on dirty fossil fuels, enacting some of the toughest utility accountability measures in the nation, and creating jobs and wealth in Illinois’ Black and Brown communities, which are often the first to suffer negative consequences of pollution but the last to reap the health and economic benefits of a clean energy future.
Bill Highlights
As presented by the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition
In addition to climate change, Illinois has been facing three crises: an economic and public health crisis, a racial and economic justice crisis, and a crisis of utility corruption. This bill tackles all three by taking bold action on climate change and creating thousands of equitable jobs in every part of the state without raising taxes or giving Exelon the giant bailout they sought. In fact, the legislation holds utilities accountable and establishes the highest ethical standards in state history.
This legislation is an overdue and critical victory for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and includes the most significant investment in clean energy Illinois has ever seen including more than $80 million annually for job creation in Black and Brown communities, far exceeding the set aside to save good-paying union jobs at carbon-free nuclear plants.
The bill also addresses our urgent climate emergency, setting Illinois on a path to a 100% clean energy future by 2050 by closing coal and fossil gas plants on certain timelines that guarantee climate action, public health protection, and prioritization of environmental justice communities.
The bill ends the automatic, rubber-stamped formula rate hikes that consumers have endured for too long. It also creates a process for a new low-income rate and prohibits late fees for low-income customers.
The bill increases the Illinois Solar for All funding from $10 million/year to $50 million/year to provide free solar and guaranteed savings for low-income families, creates new inclusive finance mechanisms for families to invest in energy updates, and extends electric energy efficiency programs to maximize long-term savings.
For three years, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) – a diverse group made up of more than 200 consumer, business, environmental, environmental justice, health care-care, faith-based and youth organizations, and more – has held more than a hundred “Listen. Lead. Share.” conversations to solicit input from communities across Illinois. This grassroots work led to one of the most equitable climate policies in North America and establishes ICJC as a national leader.
Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition moves beyond CEJA
But the work hasn't stopped there! Since then, key bills and initiatives in process or recently passed by the ICJC include:
Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) (Signed 2026):
- Battery Storage: Establishes 3GW of grid-scale battery storage by 2030 and creates a "Storage for All" program for income-eligible residents.
- Virtual Power Plants: Incentivizes households to use smart tech to feed power back into the grid, creating "Virtual Power Plants".
- Grid Infrastructure: Enhances Renewable Energy Access Plan (REAP) processes and boosts energy efficiency goals for utilities.
Clean and Healthy Buildings Act (2026 priority):
- Targets reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 2050.
- Focuses on gas utility efficiency standards to lower consumer bills.
POWER Act (2026 priority):
- Requires data centers to power operations with new clean energy ("Bring Your Own New Clean Capacity and Energy" - BYONCCE).
- Prohibits utility companies from passing infrastructure costs driven by data centers onto residential ratepayers.
