Support extends across state, political spectrum
SPRINGFIELD, IL – A just-released poll shows that residents from every region of Illinois overwhelmingly support a bill that would move the state to 100% renewable energy, electrify the mass transit and transportation sector, cut carbon from the power sector and create jobs in the clean energy economy.
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition today released results from the poll conducted by Tulchin Research earlier this month. The poll gauged support for the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), a bill making its way through the Legislature with 49 House sponsors and 27 Senate sponsors.
Results show that support for CEJA is strong in every region of the state:
- 79% in the City of Chicago (to 14% oppose)
- 61% in suburban Cook County (to 20% oppose)
- 67% in the “collar counties” of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will (to 24% oppose)
- 67% outside of Chicago and the collar counties (to 21% oppose)
Support for the bill is strong across the political spectrum, with 86% of Democrats (to 7% oppose), 61% of Independents (to 33% oppose), and nearly half of Republicans (48% support to 35% oppose) agreeing with CEJA.
CEJA invests in coal and fossil fuel communities by creating Clean Energy Empowerment Zones to support workers impacted by coal plant closures and the communities in which they live. The poll found that 49% of Illinoisans believe these coal plants are closing due to competition from cheaper, cleaner sources, compared to 27% who believe that these coal plants are closing due to regulation and pressure from environmental groups.
“People who live and work in every part of Illinois – rural and urban – are ready for the Clean Energy Jobs Act so we can grow our clean energy economy and improve the health of all Illinoisans,” said Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council and a member of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition’s Steering Committee. “They know that the Illinois Legislature must take action now to protect the health and pocketbooks of future generations. Now is the time for Illinois to lead.”
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info@ilcleanjobs.org