JOLIET – To transition Illinois to a 100 percent clean energy economy, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) lent his support to the Climate Jobs Illinois (CJI) 10-point plan initiative, which will create thousands of jobs while reducing the state’s carbon emissions.

“With this plan as a starting point, Illinois moves one step closer toward a clean energy future,” said Joyce, a member of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.  “I look forward to continuing to work with the coalition to create more jobs as our state transitions to a clean energy economy.”

The CJI plan comprises four main sectors: clean power generation; just transition and inclusion; building efficiency; and transportation. The plan outlines how the state can invest at scale in clean-energy infrastructure to maximize emissions reductions that will address the climate crisis while creating or sustaining thousands of union jobs and apprentice programs, particularly in areas hit hard by the economic crisis.

Currently, there are 142 coal, oil, gas and nuclear plants operating in Illinois, employing 45,000 workers and providing billions of dollars in tax revenue to local communities. With a shift to 100 percent clean energy, the CJI plan calls on the state to properly fund a just transition for Illinois workers and communities impacted by the shift to a 100 percent clean energy economy, including tax revenue replacement for communities where closures may occur, as well as wage and benefit support and retraining for displaced workers.

“We have to continue to stand up for our working class and ensure these folks have a voice,” Joyce said. “Now is the time to build on the progress we’ve made, especially for those who have been impacted by COVID-19 crisis.”

To read CJI’s full 10-point proposal, visit https://climatejobsillinois.org/our-work.