Critical Research to Support Illinois Workers and Communities Navigating the Clean Energy Transition
The Illinois Climate Jobs Institute’s research agenda aims to support the state’s transition to a clean energy future, with a focus on the needs of workers and communities. We identify ways to minimize job loss, maximize high-quality job creation, promote economic development, and facilitate an equitable transition to a clean energy economy. Explore our main areas of research below.
Research Library
The Climate Jobs Institute produces research reports, tools, and resources to support the state’s transition to a clean energy economy. Check out our most recent publications below or click on “All Research” to access our entire research library.
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Interested in staying informed on what CJI is doing? Sign up to receive our newsletter and other research updates. We’ll share summaries of our research findings, links to publications and tools, and opportunities for collaboration.
Past Newsletters
Winter 2025 Research and News
Fall 2024 Research and News
Dig Deeper
A Clean Jobs Inventory for Illinois: Evolving Workforce Needs in Clean Energy
September 9, 2026
Watch CJI’s webinar walkthrough of A Clean Jobs Inventory for Illinois, featuring authors Peter Fugiel and Linda Larsen breaking down where Illinois’ clean energy jobs are, how fast they’re growing, and what it means for workforce training programs.
Clean Energy Workforce Tools for Planning, Connections, and Grant Applications
April 10, 2025
Want to learn more about how you can use CJI’s tools? In this webinar, Linda Larsen, Associate Director of Research at the Climate Jobs Institute, shares CJI’s tools that have been developed to help with planning and grant applications for Clean Energy projects.
The Pivotal Role of the Building Trades in Illinois’ Clean Energy Transition
November 19, 2025
During the webinar, researchers from the Climate Jobs Institute shared findings from our new statewide study of Illinois’ building trades, based on focus groups and interviews with union leaders. We also heard from labor partners about how unions are navigating technological change, maintaining job quality, and preparing workers for opportunities in the clean energy transition.