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
Illinois Educators 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 Local 1
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