Black Caucus Legislators Want to Bring Offshore Wind and 1,000s of Jobs to Illinois

 

Black Caucus Legislators Want to Bring Offshore Wind and 1,000s of Jobs to Illinois 

Sen. Peters, Leader Evans, Rep. Gonzalez, Rep. Buckner, unions and environmental advocates support legislation to take advantage of federal resources to jumpstart offshore wind pilot project in Lake Michigan 

ILLINOIS – Black Caucus legislators Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) and Leader Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) together with Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago), Local 150 and Pastor Scott Onque of Faith in Place called for the passage of Rust Belt to Green Belt legislation to jumpstart offshore wind in Lake Michigan.  

“Bringing offshore wind to Illinois is an economic issue just as much as it is an environmental issue,” said Sen. Peters, Chair of the Senate Black Caucus. “The green economy hasn’t reached the Southeast Side of Chicago, where the ruins of abandoned steel mills cast long shadows. This pilot project alone would create thousands of jobs during the building phase and 50-100 long-term jobs. And that’s from only a handful of turbines.” 

Leader Marcus Evans (D-Chicago), House Sponsor of the bill was absent due to a family emergency, but issued the following statement: “Illinois will miss out on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take advantage of federal dollars available from the Biden administration to jumpstart offshore wind projects. Other states are competing for this fundings, and if Illinois doesn’t pass this legislation now, it sends the wrong message both to the Black and Brown communities that are looking to Democrats to create the jobs they need, as well as to D.C.” 

HB4543 allows Illinois to begin the process of making offshore wind in Lake Michigan a reality. Specifically, the legislation: 

Allows the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to seek federal funding to build an offshore wind port 

Directs the Illinois Power Agency to procure power from an offshore wind pilot project. Legislative action must happen for these initial steps to take place.  

Once passed, DCEO would be able to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to find private companies capable of building the necessary wind infrastructure. 

Crucially, the legislation contains provisions to ensure that the jobs generated from the project go towards the Black and Brown communities that need them the most.  

In order to win the RFP, wind developers will need to submit a rigorous proposal that will be scored in three categories: price, overall viability of the applicant, and equity & inclusion.  

The developer’s equity plan, which must detail how they will create opportunities and invest in underrepresented communities, is given the most weight when scoring each proposal.  

Learn more at rustbelttogreenbelt.com 

“Offshore wind is a huge opportunity for Illinois,” said Marc Poulus, Executive Director of the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting. “The passage of this legislation means a green light for unions to start creating pipelines of diverse laborers to do the work specifically required to equip the port and build the turbines. Not only will there be a class of laborers trained to do this work, but wind represents an entry point to the trades for a new generation of skilled workers.” 

“Environmental justice and economic justice go hand in hand for our communities,” said Pastor Scott Onque, Faith in Place. “Offshore wind will diversify Illinois’ renewable energy sources and make us less reliant on fossil fuels, which have created a disproportionate amount of pollution in predominantly Black and Brown communities. At the same time, environmental justice is incomplete without economic justice. The jobs offshore wind creates will help right historical wrongs and support communities that battle chronic disinvestment.” 

“Offshore wind has a coalition of support, from labor, to environmental advocates, to the Chicago Chamber of Commerce,” said State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago). “This is a diverse coalition because offshore wind accomplishes so much for so many. During these times of inflation and an unstable energy market, creating stability and economic security for families is essential, especially when we can do it while protecting the planet at the same time.” 

 "My colleagues and I helped pass the most comprehensive clean energy legislation in the country, but that cannot be the ceiling for Illinois," said State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago). "Environmental justice and sustainability is an existential issue that needs a dedicated plan, innovative thinking, and bold solutions – like offshore wind." 

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