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CEJA and Climate Action

The urgent need to address climate change and create jobs is what drives Illinois to enact policies that move our State toward a 100% clean energy economy. In 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), landmark climate legislation that established in law Illinois’ commitment to achieving that goal and positioning Illinois as a national leader on climate action.  Illinois’ bold and ambitious policies are what sets the State apart.

Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

  • The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act includes the following provisions, making Illinois a national leader on climate:
    • Establishes 100% Clean Energy by 2050 as State policy.
    • Doubles the State’s investment in renewable development.
    • Provides a $4,000 electric vehicle rebate for consumers and helps fund a statewide charging network.
    • Supports a responsible transition away from fossil-fuels by phasing out private coal and natural gas generation by 2030 and 2045, respectively. Illinois is the first state in the Midwest to pass a law phasing out fossil fuels.
    • Requires utilities to develop strategies to further modernize Illinois’ electric grid.
    • Creates multiple workforce development programs to prepare workers and support communities as the state transitions to a clean energy economy.
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Equity

  • Equity is a driving factor throughout CEJA’s programs and is a top priority of Governor Pritzker’s 2019 Economic Plan. CEJA makes equitable investments in Illinois' new clean energy economy and advances environmental justice. No matter an individual’s zip code, every Illinoisan deserves economic opportunity.
  • This includes workforce training programs, incentivizing for contracting with diverse suppliers and locating in underserved areas, financing opportunities for minority contractors and projects in economic and more.

CEJA Charging

CEJA mandates that the State of Illinois reach one million EVs on the road by 2030. The Illinois EPA has already awarded or is in the process of awarding a total of $82.6 million in grants to build DC fast chargers and level 2 chargers at public locations, including hotels, shopping centers, and gas stations. Of these public charging ports, approximately 2,000 will be DC fast charge and 600 will be Level 2. The Illinois EPA plans to release more detailed information soon on the CEJA EV Chargers Round 2 funding awards.

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U.S. Climate Alliance

Governor Pritzker joined the U.S. Climate Alliance during his first days in office, becoming the 18th governor to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement and commit to reducing the state's carbon footprint.

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COP26

Governor Pritzker attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021 to share how Illinois is a leading state in the Midwest on climate action and clean energy. The Governor also urged other governments, business leaders, and organizations to take further action to combat the climate crisis.

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