March 17, 2022
Chynna Hampton and Mia Korinke to support labor coalition in implementation of Climate and Equitable Jobs Act
Springfield, Ill. – Climate Jobs Illinois (CJI) today announced it has named Chynna Hampton as its Equity Director and Mia Korinke as Campaign Mobilization Director as the labor coalition works to implement components of the historic Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and ensure a more diverse workforce in the state’s renewable energy sector.
Climate Jobs Illinois, a coalition of labor organizations united around a shared goal of combating climate change while reversing income inequality, enlisted Hampton for her extensive experience in project management and workforce diversity and inclusion strategy. She will be charged with overseeing the coalition’s workforce development programs set forth in CEJA.
Before joining CJI, Hampton served as the Director of Workforce Development at HIRE 360, where she oversaw the development and implementation of workforce readiness programs, particularly aimed to address the lack of diversity in the construction industry. She received her master’s degree in Public Administration from Walden University and a bachelor’s degree from the University Illinois-Chicago.
Korinke to lead Carbon Free Schools initiative
Korinke will serve as the go-to for CJI’s political engagement and community outreach plans to implement and promote CEJA’s Carbon Free Schools program, designed to assist Illinois public schools with increasing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and moving toward carbon-free energy usage by 2030.
Korinke last served as a Strategic Researcher for the American Federation of Teachers where she helped lead organizing strategies, corporate research and media outreach efforts for the union. Korinke holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Benedict & St. John’s University.
“Chynna and Mia joining our team is further proof that Climate Jobs Illinois and organized labor are running full-speed ahead in our efforts to create a nationally leading clean energy economy with high-quality, family-sustaining union jobs that spur equitable economic development, particularly in historically underserved communities,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney. “They both bring an energy and passion that will work to build engagement with our partners and help us ensure that our coalition meets the obligations outlined in the new climate law. Our members are thrilled to have them on the team.”
About Climate Jobs Illinois
Climate Jobs Illinois — which is independent of energy developers and utilities— is a coalition of labor organizations advocating for a pro-worker, pro-climate agenda in Illinois. Our mission is to advocate for a clean energy economy at the scale climate science demands, create good union jobs and support more equitable communities. The coalition represents hundreds of thousands of Illinois working men and women who are the best trained and skilled to build Illinois’ new clean-energy economy from the ground up. This important work combined with promoting labor standards—such as prevailing wage and project labor agreements, with union apprentice trained workers—provide a pathway to a strong middle class in Illinois. For more information, visit www.climatejobsillinois.org.
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