CJC’s Role in Supporting the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA): A Collaborative Path Forward

The Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) is poised to drive a clean energy transformation across the state, prioritizing equity and workforce development. While the implementation of CEJA may sometimes feel stalled, there is a lot of momentum. At the Chicago Jobs Council (CJC), we are keenly focused on a unified workforce development system that’s aligned and well-coordinated to support historically marginalized communities by ensuring they have access to quality jobs and training in the clean energy sector.

There were lessons learned from The Green Jobs Economy of the early 2000s, which include  the need for stronger coordination and effective targeting of underserved communities, which are two areas we want to pay close attention to as CEJA moves into implementation. At CJC, we are committed to supporting our workforce development partners around a common goal—to build a strong foundation for CEJA’s success. We aim to foster a system that is both inclusive and adaptable. 

We’re excited to continue this conversation at the Workforce Symposium on October 22, where CJC, will participate in two panels. One, alongside Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and Hire360, will lead a panel discussion titled Leveraging Lessons Learned: Effective Workforce Development Policy for CEJA Focusing on Jobs, Skills, and Equity to Create a Robust Workforce for the Clean Energy Transition. The second panel will be in collaboration with the National Skills Coalition titled: Workforce Policy on Capitol Hill and in Illinois & Why It Matters

Together, Chicagoland CEJA workforce providers will build a cleaner, more equitable energy future—one rooted in strong systems and lessons of the past.