ICJC Urges Congress to Act on Climate, Supercharge CEJA, Create Thousands of Good-Paying Jobs

CHICAGO – Following Governor JB Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) released this statement:

“As Governor Pritzker said today, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) made Illinois a nationally-recognized leader in the fight to combat the climate crisis and create good-paying clean energy jobs. But Illinois alone cannot reduce the carbon pollution that drives climate change while creating opportunity for all.

“That’s why we must pair CEJA with federal investment in order to jump start wind and solar projects, provide tax incentives for electric vehicles, create thousands of jobs, and reduce energy bills for Illinois families – all while putting the United States on a path to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

“The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition urges Congress to pass a climate investment bill as quickly as possible. Illinois communities can’t wait.”

During this afternoon’s address, Governor Pritzker stated, “We have become a national leader in addressing climate change, even being recognized on the world stage at the United Nations climate conference in Scotland last year, when Illinois became the first Midwest state to require 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2045.”

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The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition is made up of more than 200 consumer, business, environmental, environmental justice, health care, faith-based and student organizations.