Buckner Announces Construction of Clean Energy Contractor Job Hub

CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, announced the release of funds for the launch of 13 clean energy contractor job creation hubs to be built across Illinois, with Chicago hubs set to begin operations soon.

“One of the major goals of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) was to tap the potential of clean energy to build a stronger future for Illinois. The opening of these job creation hubs will help utilize that potential by stimulating underserved economies and creating sustainable good-paying jobs in this growing sector,” Buckner said. “Forward-thinking investments in green technological infrastructure and workforce have the power to create a stronger economy that works for every Illinois.”

As part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), is launching a $21 million dollar program to establish 13 community-based contractor incubator hubs around the state. The hubs are designed to assist clean energy contractors-especially those in underserved areas-with growing their businesses. Ultimately, the goal of this program is to establish an interconnected set of statewide workforce development support systems, and fuel the growth of the clean energy sector in Illinois.

“Our community’s future depends on more than taking advantage of a robust economy. Defeating climate change and its accompanying dangers is an issue of national impact,” Buckner said. “Transferring from out-of-date sources of energy to modern, clean-burning options will address that to a substantial degree.”