The Climate Jobs Institute produces research reports, tools, and resources to support the state’s transition to a clean energy economy. 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. 

Illinois Solar and Wind Mapping: How do Jobs, Projects, and Training Align?

The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) workforce programs are officially launching. Organizations delivering these programs begin clean energy training this fall. Employers agree that there is a desperate need for more renewable energy workers, but where exactly are the jobs and projects? Will the training programs prepare people for jobs that are available in their region?

In this policy brief, we explore how the workforce programs align with the locations of solar and wind jobs, job postings, and planned solar and wind installations throughout the state. We identify potential misalignments and make recommendations to better align CEJA workforce funding with regional workforce needs.

Prioritizing Communities for Clean Energy Investments: Illinois and Federal Mapping Tool Results and Recommendations

Clean energy legislation in Illinois and at the federal level prioritizes funding for frontline communities and other communities that face economic and environmental burdens. This prioritization is intended to ensure that the benefits of clean energy investments are equitably distributed. Both Illinois and the federal government use interactive geospatial mapping tools to identify these communities.

This policy brief highlights the differences between the state and federal mapping tools. We demonstrate how different methods of prioritization impact which communities benefit from funding or are left out. We provide recommendations for improving the mapping tools to more equitably identify target communities.

CEJA Hubs and Community Prioritization

The Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) workforce programs, which will begin training people in fall 2024, have a goal to equitably grow the clean energy workforce in Illinois. Participation in the programs is prioritized for people living in Equity Investment Eligible (EIE) communities, which include communities subject to environmental burdens and economic disinvestment. The CEJA workforce programs aim to provide benefits to residents of these EIE communities through access to training, good quality jobs, and business support services.

This policy brief explores how the training programs are spatially aligned with EIE communities in Illinois. Considering distance and access to the programs, who will likely be served and who will be excluded?

CEJA Map

The Climate Jobs Institute worked with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center to develop a mapping tool to help grow the clean energy workforce. This mapping tool displays locations of CEJA workforce programs, clean energy employers, power plant closures, apprenticeship programs, target communities, and more.

Union Labor and Clean Energy Research

The Climate Jobs Institute is researching how Illinois construction and building trade unions are taking part in clean energy activities and programs.  

We’re recruiting union leaders and apprenticeship coordinators to complete a survey and participate in a focus group discussion. We’ll explore how Illinois unions are planning for and participating in the clean energy transition. 

Clean Energy Jobs Analyses

CJI is conducting research to better understand clean energy job and training needs, helping to inform workforce policy and workforce program implementation. We are analyzing job postings and Department of Labor data to recommend areas of focus for the state’s clean energy workforce training programs and other training programs. 

Building Electrification Study

Illinois is considering new policies to support building electrification in Illinois. This study will help inform electrification policy and implementation. We’ll start with a market analysis of residential and commercial electrification technologies and adoption. We’ll consider barriers to adoption, policies, and workforce needs to support electrification. We’ll estimate the impacts of electrification on the economy and workforce and model scenarios for adoption.   

Interested in staying informed on what CJI is doing? Sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter and other research updates. We’ll share summaries of our research findings, links to publications and tools, and opportunities for collaboration. 

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