How has coal shaped life in your community? Are you a current or former coal worker? Is your community navigating coal mine or plant closures? Whether you’re working in coal now or living with its legacy, we want to hear from you.
Coal has powered Illinois for generations — and in many towns, it still does. In others, mines and plants have closed, leaving communities to grapple with what’s been lost and what’s possible moving forward. Wherever your community stands today, your voice matters in shaping the future.
This project is about listening first. We want to learn from coal workers, family members and community leaders. We want to hear from people who’ve lived through these closures — or are preparing for them now — to understand what’s happening on the ground. We want to learn from those experiences, honor workers’ stories, and use what we learn to help strengthen these communities.
What We’re Doing
This project is rooted in the people and places shaped by coal. Our goals are simple:
- Listen and Learn
We’re listening to coal workers, their families, and community members to understand how the coal industry has shaped their lives.
- Preserve Stories
Through oral histories and multimedia projects, we’re documenting the stories of communities who powered Illinois. These voices will help inform the future — and ensure no one is forgotten.
- Inform Better Policy
We’re analyzing what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in Illinois and other states. By understanding the economic impact of closures and listening to people’s real experiences in coal communities, we’ll recommend policies that actually meet communities’ needs.
- Engage the Next Generation
We’re partnering with schools and students to bring local history and energy transition work into the classroom — building bridges across generations.
Our oral history and community storytelling work spans statewide. We’re inviting anyone whose life has been shaped by the Illinois coal industry to share their story.
Why This Matters
Coal is deeply woven into Illinois’ history. It has been mined here for more than 200 years — fueling homes, factories, trains, and the nation’s industrial growth. Even today, Illinois has more recoverable coal reserves than any state east of the Mississippi. Mining towns dot the landscape from the Metro East to southern and central Illinois, shaping generations of family legacies, economies, and environments.
In the first half of the 20th century, coal mining in Illinois hit its peak, with nearly 100,000 miners working underground. These were tough, proud jobs — physically demanding, often dangerous, but offering a decent wage and a strong sense of identity and purpose.
But things have changed. Employment, tax revenue, and local economies have been impacted by the mechanization of mining technologies and coal plant closures. For communities built around coal, mine and plant closures extend beyond the economic impacts, affecting landscapes and a deep sense of place. That’s why this project matters. This isn’t just about jobs — it’s about identity, family, and the future of entire towns. We believe that by hearing directly from workers, families, and local leaders, we will not only learn about the cultural heritage of coal in Illinois; we will also be able to shape smarter policies that ensure future transitions are more thoughtful and just.
Because while energy systems may change, people and places still need a future — and that future must be built with care, respect, and a deep understanding of what’s being lost, and what could be gained.
The Team
Two men sit behind a desk, passing out union voting ballots. An underground miner signs to get his ballot. Photo courtesy of C. William Horrell Photograph Collection.
This work is being led by the Climate Jobs Institute in collaboration with:
Looking Ahead
The project kicks off in Summer 2025, but momentum is already building. We’re getting ready for oral history interviews, engaging with communities, and preparing for outreach at local festivals and events.
Get Involved
If you’re a current or former coal worker, a family member, or a resident of a coal community — we want to hear your story. If you’re a student, educator, or local organizer, we want to work with you.
Have questions? Email Emily at eguske2@illinois.edu or call her at 217-244-7631.
This transition is happening now. Let’s make it one that honors the past, listens to workers, and strengthens our communities.
Banner image of mine workers and mine worker voting photo courtesy of C. William Horrell Photograph Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Morris Library, Southern Illinois University Carbondale