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Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA, P.A. 102-0662) was signed into law by Governor Pritzker on September 15, 2021.  CEJA is comprehensive energy legislation that

  • Incentivizes renewable energy development;
  • Accelerates electric vehicle (EV) adoption and expands charging station infrastructure; 
  • Creates statewide clean energy workforce training programs to ensure our workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future; and, 
  • Supports communities facing energy transitions and much more.  

DCEO's role in CEJA is to help Illinois’ workforce prepare for and train for jobs in the clean energy industry and to provide support to workers and communities facing plant closures. These programs prioritize Illinoisians who live in communities that have historically faced economic barriers and environmental damage, bolstering a diverse workforce in the clean energy industry.  DCEO is charged with implementing many programs under CEJA. Click on the links below to learn more.

Sign up for our mailing list to receive updates about CEJA program implementation.

Have a question about CEJA? View our FAQ page or email us at CEO.CEJA@illinois.gov.  

Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is excited to share that the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program application has launched!  This scholarship program provides assistance to children (including adopted and stepchildren) of eligible displaced energy workers. It is designed to support students who are deterred from attending or completing an educational program at an Illinois institution because of a parent's layoff from a retiring power plant or a closing coal mine. Tuition and fees at public colleges or community colleges are covered for a period equal to one calendar year, including a summer term, for undergraduate or graduate study.

For those interested, the 2022-23 Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program application (fillable PDF) may be completed and submitted online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal. As part of the process of submitting the application to ISAC via the ISAC Student Portal, applicants must upload proof of the displaced energy worker's loss of employment due to the reduced operation or closure of a fossil fuel power plant or coal mine that occurred on or after September 15, 2016. While this was a mid-academic year launch, eligible applicants can apply to have the funds applied to this entire academic year (2022-2023). To be considered for funds during the 2022-23 academic year, the application must be submitted to ISAC on or before Thursday, June 15, 2023.

Further information on the program can be accessed here:  https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/DEWDTSP.html.  In addition, interested students are encouraged to reach out to the ISAC Call Center:
Call Center - Student Services
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
Phone: 800.899.ISAC (4722)
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT
E-mail: isac.studentservices@illinois.gov
* Chat available through the ISAC website – click on the https://www.isac.org/students/ page for the chat box pop-up. *

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