We're (Chicago Federation of Labor) proud to support @ClimateJobsIL in its push to create thousands of good-paying jobs to shift IL to a 100% clean energy economy by 2050. Check out its 10-point plan here:
Proposals to transition Illinois to 100% clean energy by 2050, saves or creates more than 280,000 jobs and new opportunities in historically disinvested communities
Illinois Federation of Teachers joins coalition to champion Carbon-Free Schools Initiative
Springfield, Ill. — Labor coalition Climate Jobs Illinois today unveiled its package of policy recommendations to transition Illinois to a 100% clean energy economy by 2050. The comprehensive 10-point plan could save or create up to 280,000 jobs, significantly reduce the state’s emissions and help to close the growing income inequality gap in disadvantaged communities most impacted by climate change. One of the centerpieces of the plan is the Carbon-Free Schools Initiative.
“This proposal is ambitious but achievable. With the state’s clean energy resources, highly skilled workforce, ready-made apprenticeship programs and manufacturing infrastructure, we can build a cleaner and fairer future while putting working families first,” said Nikki Budzinski, Executive Director of Climate Jobs Illinois.
The set of recommendations from CJI—which is independent of energy developers and utilities—comprise four main sectors: carbon-free power generation, just transition & equity, building efficiency and transportation. CJI’s plan offers a large-scale but practical blueprint for investing in clean-energy infrastructure that simultaneously maximizes emissions reductions to address the climate crisis and create or sustain union jobs and apprentice programs in areas hit hard by the current economic crisis as well as by historic underfunding. The recommendations cover:
Carbon Free-Power Generation Recommendations
Just Transition & Equity
Transportation
Building Efficiency
Climate Jobs Illinois today also announced the Illinois Federation of Teachers will join the coalition strongly in support of CJI’s Carbon Free Schools initiative. Taxpayers would save money through building efficiency upgrades and through an “ownership model,” with school districts owning the solar arrays themselves, allowing the energy savings to be realized immediately.
“I am proud that my union joined the Climate Jobs Illinois coalition to tackle the urgency of climate change and its impact on working people. What a better way to help students understand how clean energy can put people to work and be part of the solution to climate change by reducing the carbon footprint of our schools. The state legislature should embrace Climate Jobs Illinois’ Carbon Free School initiative.” —Illinois Environmental Science Teacher Michael Beeftink, member, IFT Local 1274
Climate Jobs Illinois represents the hundreds of thousands of Illinois working men and women who are best suited to build Illinois’ new clean-energy economy from the ground up. The organization’s Governing Board includes Illinois AFL-CIO President and Chair Tim Drea, Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Pat Devaney, Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter and Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council President Ralph Affrunti.
Executive Committee members of Climate Jobs Illinois are: Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, Illinois Federation of Teachers, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers State Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, Laborers International Union of North America Great Lakes Region, Laborers International Union of North America Midwest Region, Service Employees International Union State Council and United Auto Workers Region 4.
Climate Jobs Illinois is a state affiliate of the Climate Jobs National Resource Center. CJI has partnered with The Project for Middle Class Renewal at UIUC, Illinois Economic Policy Institute and Cornell University Worker Institute.
By advocating for bold clean energy investments with comprehensive labor standards, including prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, labor peace agreements, project labor agreements and responsible bidder requirements, Climate Jobs Illinois is working to ensure these jobs create more pathways to the middle class, especially for communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
To read the CJI’s full 10-point proposal, visit https://climatejobsillinois.org/our-work, and follow CJI at @ClimateJobsIL on Twitter or join its Facebook page.
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