School of Labor and Employment Relations Climate Jobs Institute

The Climate Jobs Advisory Council is charged with providing input to the Illinois Climate Jobs Institute regarding research priorities, work processes, and timeline for implementation. They will support the Institute’s core research priorities:

  1. Evaluate how workforce opportunities in the clean-energy industry can provide just transitions for displaced energy workers in the State.
  2. Identify opportunities to maximize job creation and workforce development in the State’s clean-energy industry, being particularly mindful of job creation and workforce development in historically underrepresented populations and environmental justice communities
  3. Recommend policies that will create high-quality family and community-sustaining jobs in the clean-energy economy.
  4. Develop strategies to address current and future supply chain vulnerabilities and challenges in the clean-energy manufacturing industry.
  5. Identify how to expand access to high-quality clean-energy jobs for environmental justice communities and other frontline communities that have faced historical inequities.
  6. Assess the types of support that local governments will need to develop their own community energy, climate, and jobs plans.
  7. Evaluate initiatives, including the Public Schools Carbon-Free Assessment program.

March 25, 2026

September 29, 2025

March 31, 2025

Members appointed to the Council serve 2-year terms and may be reappointed.

NameOrganization, roleAppointed byRepresenting
Wasiu AdesopeBlacks in Green, Sustainable Engineering AssociateGovernorEnvironmental Advocacy Organizations
Senyo AdorSesenergi Eco Solutions Enterprise LLC, Co-FounderGovernorRenewable Energy Industry
Charles Bailey, Jr.Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades CouncilSpeaker of the House
Richard BentonProfessor and Executive Director of the Climate Jobs Institute (Council Chair)Statute Climate Jobs Institute
Robert BrunoProfessor and Director of the Labor Education ProgramChancellor & Dean of the School of Labor and Employment Relations
Jessica CollingsworthNexamp Central Policy DirectorGovernorRenewable Energy Industry
Rep. Eva-Dina DelgadoIllinois House 3rd DistrictSpeaker of the HouseIllinois House Latino Caucus
Mark DenzlerIllinois Manufacturers Association, President and CEOMinority Leader of the Senate
Clint DruryWest Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council, Executive DirectorGovernorStatewide Labor Organizations
Joseph DuffyClimate Jobs Illinois Executive DirectorGovernorStatewide Labor Organizations
Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr.Illinois House 33rd District, Assistant Majority LeaderSpeaker of the HouseIllinois House Black Caucus
Jeffrey FerryVistra, Senior Director of Government AffairsMinority Leader of the House of Representatives
Eliza ForsytheSchool of Labor and Employment Relations, ProfessorChancellor & Dean of the School of Labor and Employment Relations
Rep. Robyn GabelIllinois House, 18th District, Majority LeaderSpeaker of the House
Samira HanessianIllinois Environmental Council, Energy Policy DirectorGovernorEnvironmental Advocacy Organizations
Robert HattierIBEW Renewable Energy Fund Executive DirectorGovernorStatewide Labor Organizations
Darnell JohnsonUrban Efficiency Group, PresidentGovernorRenewable Energy Industry
Stephanie TaylorCommunity Development Sustainable Solutions, Founder and CEOGovernorEnvironmental Advocacy Organizations
Sen. Celina VillanuevaIllinois Senate, 11th District President of the SenateSenate Latino Caucus
Yiran ZhangService Employees International Union, Strategic ResearcherGovernorStatewide Labor Organizations
VACANTPresident of the SenateSenate Black Caucus
VACANTPresident of the Senate
VACANTPresident of the Senate
School of Labor and Employment Relations Climate Jobs Institute

504 E. Armory Avenue
Champaign, IL 61820

Phone: (217) 333-1482

Email: climate-jobs@illinois.edu

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