No more delays: Illinois legislators must pass climate and energy bill to protect solar jobs and frontline communities
The journey to pass a comprehensive, equitable climate bill in Illinois has had quite a few bumps along the way, and it’s not over yet. Despite the harsh reality of our climate emergency and widespread support for bold action, the state legislature still has not passed an urgently-needed climate and energy bill.
Through the entire ride, the clean energy advocacy community has continued to stay the course and push for what Illinois needs — bold, equity-centered legislation that provides a just transition for frontline communities, protects solar jobs, and doesn’t let polluters off the hook. As part of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, we’ve mobilized all year to demand action from our legislators.
Sadly, the needless delay is already costing us economic development and clean energy jobs. Large solar companies are beginning to take their business elsewhere, and smaller ones are struggling to hold on. We expect the state legislature to reconvene in August, and we need to make sure a climate and clean jobs bill is their top priority.
We have an opportunity to make Illinois a national leader in climate and clean jobs legislation, and the cost of continued delay is one we can’t afford.