The Climate Jobs Institute at the University of Illinois informs the Illinois clean energy transition through research that foregrounds workers and their communities.
We guide state climate policy to reduce emissions and promote high-quality job creation by:
- Generating reports, tools, and resources;
- Engaging labor, industry, communities, and policy makers;
- Mentoring student researchers; and
- Fostering applied research collaborations.
Through research rooted in climate and economic justice, we envision a clean energy future where workers and communities prosper.
Memorias de la Mujer Lotina: Arpilleras, Women, and Coal in Chile
Exhibition: February 26 – September 5, 2026 | Residency & Events: March 30 – April 5, 2026
Join us for a series of events bringing coal communities from Illinois and Chile together to explore worker-centered energy transitions!
The Climate Jobs Institute is partnering with Magdalena Novoa, Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and the Krannert Art Museum to bring coal-impacted communities from Chile and Illinois into dialogue. Memorias consists of an exhibition at the Krannert Art Museum featuring arpillera, a Chilean textile craft, made by women in Chile’s southern coal basin region. The Chilean artists will participate in a weeklong residency at the University of Illinois. During their visit, they will lead campus and community workshops, engage with Illinois coal workers and families, and participate in events that foster cross-border dialogue.
Learn about the exhibition and public events here.
Climate Jobs Institute Annual Report
2025 was a year of tremendous growth for the Climate Jobs Institute. Read a summary of what we’ve accomplished.
Read the Annual Report
Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Regional Data Packets
In February 2026, we updated our Regional Data Packets, resources that are regularly used by CEJA workforce programs, planners, labor, state agencies, local governments, and more. The data packets provide insights about clean energy jobs, apprenticeships, training programs, businesses and manufacturers, clean energy development, fossil fuel plant and mine closures and more.
Learn more
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