Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Overview

In order to achieve 100% clean energy future by 2050, CEJA establishes funding sources to support these goals, including $380 million per year towards investing in new renewable energy (with 40% of benefits and investments in solar power, electric vehicles, and the grid being directed to environmental justice and low-income communities), $82 million per year towards workforce and contractor development programs focused in equity-eligible communities, and $41 million per year to support former fossil fuel communities and incentive solar and energy storage projects at the sites of closed or soon-to-close power plants. Additionally, CEJA expands the Illinois Solar for All Program to $50 million per year, and requires coordination of Solar for All with complementary energy efficiency and job training initiatives.

One key outcome of CEJA was the creation of the Illinois Finance Authority Climate Bank to finance clean and sustainable development projects. A key role of the Climate Bank is to ensure that the investments and benefits of a clean energy economy are distributed equitably, with a particular emphasis on addressing historic inequities by prioritizing financing for Minority Business Enterprises and organizations supporting low-income, BIPOC, and environmental justice communities.

The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC), which is a group of organizations that work together to improve environmental, equity, and public health outcomes across the state, was instrumental in helping to pass CEJA legislation. Learn more about CEJA and ICJC’s efforts to advance the clean energy transition here.