The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act includes more than $80 million annually for job creation in Black and Brown communities,
About the Bill
The Climate and Equity Jobs Act is a bill that was drafted by The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) and negotiated with Illinois' Governor and key stakeholders. 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.
It is the most equitable climate and energy bill in the country and has the support of climate and environmental justice advocates, underserved businesses, the clean energy industry, labor unions, and the Governor’s office.
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Who is the ICJC?
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, made up of more than 200 consumer, business, environmental, environmental justice, health care, faith-based and student organizations. Eco-Justice Collaborative has been part of the coalition since its founding.
Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition ,of which EJC is a member, worked for three years to both draft a comprehensive, equitable clean energy and jobs bill and organize to pass it. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is a ground-breaking bill, and passed both the Illinois House and Senate in September 2021, before being signed by Governor Priztker.
CEJA 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.
Contractors installing solar panels on residential garage. New Prairie Construction. Photo by Lan Richart. 2021.
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.
