Climate change is undeniably and rapidly affecting our lives on a local and global scale. With the Trump administration’s blatant attempt to sabotage the progress our country has made, the Illinois General Assembly must step up and shape the future of renewable energy for Illinois.
Our community cherishes the environment, and my record to protect it over the years is well-documented. The 6th District is known for its abundant greenery and the beauty of Lake Michigan, which serves as the backdrop to the city we all call home.
I sponsored legislation that creates clean jobs in Illinois, continues to shift our state toward renewable energy, and leads the way on workforce development and energy entrepreneurship.
In 2023, I passed a law that requires new construction of single-family homes and multi-unit residential buildings to include basic infrastructure for electric vehicle charging.
HB 3624 puts the state on an equitable path toward 100% renewable energy by 2050 and emphasizes community-based incentives for creating wind and solar energy, specifically in low-income communities.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act cuts carbon from the energy sector by 2030 and moves to 100% renewable energy by 2050. The bill also reduces the state’s dependence on gas and diesel vehicles in public transportation and creates clean jobs by investing in Illinois’s electric and transit sectors.
This bill will directly impact the quality of life and health of all Illinoisians. Reducing CO2 emissions will finally begin to lower rates of diseases like asthma, which disproportionately affect communities most at risk. The Clean Energy Jobs Act makes critical strides in preserving Illinois’s collective health and well-being, as carbon emissions move to zero.
The Great Lakes contain approximately 20% of the entire world’s fresh water, and while we are lucky to have Lake Michigan as a resource, preserving access to clean drinking water in Chicago and throughout Illinois must be a priority.
Awards:
2023: Illinois Environmental Council – Lifetime Achievement Award
2012: Illinois Environmental Council – 100% Environmental Scorecard
2008: Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago – Lung Health Champion Award
2007: Illinois Environmental Council – 100% Environmental Voting Record
2005: Illinois Environmental Council – 100% Environmental Voting Record
2004: Illinois Environmental Council – 100% Environmental Voting Record
2003: Illinois Environmental Council – 100% Environmental Voting Record