CEJA is Passed!

 By Connie Schmidt

After three long years of lobby efforts, phone banking, emailing, letter writing, calling legislators, we did it…CEJA is passed. Although it is not the Clean Energy Jobs Act, it IS the Climate and Equity Jobs Act, which speaks volumes to the priorities. 

The work of CEJA started with Listen Lead Share sessions across Illinois. CEJA is the culmination of what was envisioned and needed for all communities to have an equitable clean energy future. It gives closing dates to the polluting fossil fuel plants and prioritizes the communities most affected in offering clean jobs and boosting clean energy businesses in these regions.

Local Illinois State Legislators were supportive of the bill for the most part. Many thanks to Laura Ellman, Terra Costa Howard, Ann Stava Murray, Deb Conroy,  Janet Yang Rohr, Tom Cullerton, and Maura Hirschauer, to name a few. 

From Janet Yang Rohr’s local newsletter, this was the report to her constituents:

“Illinois recently enacted the nation’s most consequential climate and energy bill, which takes bold action to meaningfully address climate change. Because of its large impact, I’m dedicating this newsletter almost exclusively to covering this legislation. Some of the big areas of impact of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act include:

• Protecting the planet and public health
• Holding utilities accountable
• Expanding consumer protections
• Creating and protecting carbon-free jobs”

Celebrations for CEJA’s passage are circling the media airwaves. The United Nations Association-Greater Chicago Chapter recognized the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition last month because of their extraordinary leadership and efforts in supporting affordable clean energy. They received a Global Award.

In a statement, UNA-Chicago Vice President Amanda Espitia said, “ICJC’s unwavering enthusiasm and impact to further our global goals is something members of the United Nations Association Chicago Chapter commend and highlight, because it is testimony that when we put our efforts together, we have the power to help transform the world.”

Not only is Illinois leading the movement across the U.S. for a Clean Energy Future, Governor Pritzker, Senate leader Harmon, and House speaker Welch all attended the Glasgow Summit on Climate Change in November, highlighting what local governments can do to address climate change.

The Future is brighter, but members of Sierra Club will be watching as the rule-making and implementation process move forward, verifying that the intent is intact with this ambitious legislation.