Monthly Downstate Update
November 1, 2021
After years of fierce advocacy by environmental groups, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) passed through the State Congress, and was signed into law by Governor Pritzker on September 15th. Last year, dozens of Whitney Young students went to Springfield to help advocate for the law, and now their efforts have succeeded. The legislation puts Illinois on a path to a 100% clean energy future by the year 2050, closes coal and fossil gas plants, invests in renewable energy, invests $80 million annually for job creation in Black and Brown communities, and grants $40 million to address the economic impacts of closing coal plants.
In other news, Governor JB Pritzker announced $327 mil lion in additional funding to assist low-income families during the pandemic. This program, known as Help Illinois Families, expands services to help low-in come families with household expenses. Families, regardless of immigration status, that are within 200% of the federal poverty level may be eligible to receive funds. If you think your family could qualify, you can fill out this application, call 1-833- 711-0374.
Finally, in response to the infamous Texas abortion law that prohibits abortions after six weeks, Governor Pritzker and other congressional officials reaffirmed Illinois’ commitment to protecting the right to choose. He touted the Illinois Reproductive Health Act, which Pritzker signed into law in 2019, that placed protections around abortion and birth control ac cess in Illinois, required insurers to cover abortions, and removed references to abortions from the criminal code. Pritzker said that he wants to make Illinois the most progressive state on abortion, and he even sent out letters urging Texas businesses to move to Illinois. State legislators are now turning their sights to re pealing Illinois’ Parental Notice of Abortion Act, which forces doctors to notify the family of a person seeking an abortion if they are under 18. So, we’ll see in the coming months if legislators use the momentum against the Texas law to enhance protections here in Illinois.