CHICAGO – This afternoon, the 3rd Annual Illinois Clean Energy Champion Awards celebrated job creation by private companies, nonprofit organizations, and governmental units from across Illinois that have seized the chance to make Illinois a national leader in clean energy. The awards recognized what it takes to create and retain good-paying jobs, with a special eye toward creating and retaining equitable jobs in communities historically left behind.
The Clean Energy Champion Awards are a joint project of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition along with media sponsor Crain’s Chicago Business.
“We are honored to be a part of this event and celebrate the forward-looking vision of these companies,” said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “Clean energy is a key part of our future —in the city, state, and across the country — and I couldn’t be more excited to honor the spirit, passion, and innovation of these stakeholders as they boost our economy, create sustainable jobs, and help improve our environment.”
“Our coalition was proud to lead the fight to pass the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), the most equitable clean energy jobs bill of its kind in the nation,” said Liliana Scales, State Director for the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC), a coalition made up of more than 200 consumer, business, environmental, environmental justice, health care, faith-based and student organizations. “We look forward to working with all stakeholders to create more opportunities to grow the clean energy economy in Illinois with a special focus on creating jobs in Black and Brown communities that have been historically left behind. We are excited to recognize some of those success stories today.”
Winners were announced in five categories:
1. Nonprofit/Government: 548 Foundation
2. Large Business: Constellation Energy
3. Breakthrough Business: Reactivate
4. Technology and Innovation: Invenergy
5. Small Business: Green Era
Award applications were reviewed by a diverse panel of judges including: Emily Cooper (Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce), Kelly Evans (Chicago Urban League), Becky Goldberg (Illinois Science and Technology Coalition), MeLena Hessel (Elevate), Christian Koch (Ceres), Bob Kopach (Eco-Friendly Mobile Farm Stand Project), Erin LaVoie (Illinois for Resource Innovations), Adrienne McFarland (Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce), Kalindi Parikh (Current), Joe Ricchiuto (Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance), Allison Winstel (mHub), and Alya Woods (Cooley Law).
The Illinois Clean Energy Champion Awards luncheon was held at Maggiano’s Banquets in Chicago on Tuesday, December 10 and emceed by ABC7 Chicago’s Ravi Baichwal. Sponsors and partners included Bank of America, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association (ISEA), Illinois Green Alliance, and the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund.
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The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) is made up of hundreds of environmental advocacy organizations, businesses, community leaders, consumer advocates, environmental justice groups, and faith-based and student organizations working together to improve public health and the environment, protect consumers, and create equitable, clean jobs across the state. After more than three years of community organizing and policy leadership, in 2021, ICJC was instrumental in helping pass the nation-leading Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization that represents more than 1,000 member companies, which collectively employ 400,000 employees and generate $24 billion in revenue. The Chamber combines the power of membership with its legacy of leadership and business advocacy to drive a dynamic economy and help us move toward a cleaner, more equitable future.
info@ilcleanjobs.org