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.

A state affiliate of the Climate Jobs National Resource Center, Climate Jobs Illinois is united around a shared goal of combating climate change while reversing income inequality.

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 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.

By focusing on the construction of clean energy sources as a way to combat the climate crisis, Climate Jobs Illinois offers a compelling new approach to creating an equitable and clean economy. Building a clean energy economy is an opportunity for labor to lead in climate by creating high-quality family-sustaining jobs that spur economic development while reducing carbon emissions.

Member Unions

  • Illinois AFL-CIO

  • Chicago Federation of Labor

  • Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council

  • Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

  • International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators

  • Illinois Education Association

  • Illinois Federation of Teachers

  • International Association of Bridge Structural Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union

  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers State Council

  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134

  • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150

  • Laborers International Union of North America Great Lakes Region

  • Laborers International Union of North America Midwest Region

  • Service Employees International Union State Council

  • United Auto Workers Region 4

Partners

  • Climate Jobs National Resource Center

  • Project for Middle Class Renewal at UIUC

  • Illinois Economic Policy Institute

  • Cornell University Worker Institute

Leadership

  • IL AFL-CIO President Tim Drea; Chair Climate Jobs Illinois

  • IL AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Pat Devaney; Secretary-Treasurer Climate Jobs Illinois

  • Chicago Federation of President Bob Reiter; Governing Board Member

  • Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council President Ralph Affrunti, Governing Board Member

  • Nikki Budzinski, Executive Director