CEJA Updates & Program Status

The following updates and announcements are described below:

• Upcoming Public Events
• Programs Currently Accepting Applications
• Programs Awarded
• Applications Under Review
• Press Releases
• Upcoming Public Engagement Opportunities

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will soon announce the next round of funding opportunities for CEJA Workforce Programs. To help prospective applicants prepare, DCEO will host a series of virtual and in-person CEJA Workforce Program NOFO Preview Sessions throughout August. These sessions are intended for potential applicants, community-based organizations, workforce development partners, employers, education and training providers, and other stakeholders interested in participating in Illinois' clean energy workforce ecosystem.

Participants will learn about updates to CEJA Workforce Program design, revisions to the Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework, anticipated Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), program and work-based learning expectations, grant application timelines, and opportunities to build strong regional partnerships. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with employers, training providers, community organizations, and other potential partners as they prepare for the next CEJA funding cycle.

View the schedule below and register for the session that best fits your organization. Upcoming funding opportunities are expected to include the Clean Jobs Workforce Network (Workforce Hubs), Energy Transition Navigator Program, and Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

UPCOMING DCEO EVENTS

CEJA Statewide NOFO Preview Kickoff Call (Virtual)

• August 12, 11 AM via WebEx

Register Here: 2026 CEJA Statewide NOFO Preview Kickoff Call

CEJA Northern Region NOFO Workshops

• Monday, August 24, 2026 Malcom X College – Chicago, IL 1 PM – 4 PM
• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO)
  202 S. Genesee St.
  Waukegan, IL 60085 1 PM – 4 PM
• Thursday, August 27, 2026 – Aurora Public Library (Santori Room 125/126) – Aurora, IL 1 PM – 4 PM

Register Here: 2026 CEJA Northern Region NOFO Workshop

CEJA Central Region NOFO Workshops

• Thursday, August 20, 2026  – ISU Alumni Center, Normal, IL – 1 PM – 4 PM
• Wednesday, August 26, 2026 – Rock Valley College, Rockford IL – 1 PM – 4 PM

Register Here: 2026 CEJA Central Region NOFO Workshop

CEJA Southern Region NOFO Workshop

• Thursday, August 20, 2026  – Civic Center, Carbondale, IL - 1 PM – 4 PM
• Thursday, August 27, 2026 – Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL 1 PM – 4 PM

Register Here: 2026 CEJA Southern Region NOFO Workshop

Please note: CEJA workforce training funding opportunities are currently closed. Check back in fall 2026. If you have any questions, contact CEO.CEJA@illinois.gov.

Grantees have been selected for the following programs:

• Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (CEJA Workforce Hubs)
• Multi-cultural Job Training Program
• Craft Apprenticeship Program
• Solar Training Pipeline Program
• Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Grant Program
• Energy Transition Community Grant Program
• Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program
• Energy Transition Navigators Program
• Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program
• Equitable Energy Future Grant Program
• Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program
• Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program
• Clean Energy Primes Accelerator Program

Review this spreadsheet for grantee awards, amounts, locations, and contact information.

• Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program
• Energy Transition Community Grant Program
• Equitable Energy Future Grant Program
• Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program

• Governor Pritzker Announces $25.5 million in grant funding for CEJA Equitable Energy Future Grant Program (August 30, 2024)
• Gov. Pritzker Announces CEJA Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program Grantees (July 9, 2024)
• Governor Pritzker Launches $8.5 Million CEJA Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program (March 6, 2024)
• Gov. Pritzker Announces $6 Million for CEJA Returning Residents Program (February 27, 2024)
• Gov. Pritzker Announces $21 Million for CEJA Contractor Incubator Hubs (October 12, 2023)
• Gov. Pritzker Announces $38 Million for CEJA Workforce Hubs (July 21, 2023)
• Gov. Pritzker Announces $6 Million in Funding for Energy Transition Navigators Program (June 15, 2023)
• Gov. Pritzker Announces $16 Million for Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program, Barrier Reduction Programs (April 21, 2023)
• More than 50 Recipients Selected to Receive Energy Transition Community Grants (March 7, 2023)
• Pritzker Administration Launches $40 Million in Funding for the Energy Transition Community Grant Program as Part of CEJA (December 16, 2022)
• DCEO Launches Public Input Process for Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Curriculum (October 17, 2022)
• Pritzker Administration Announces Recipients of Coal-to-Solar Program as Part of Landmark Climate Initiative (June 1, 2022)

• Learn more about CEJA and the programs DCEO is administering by clicking on the links to the left.
• Sign up for our mailing list to receive updates about CEJA program implementation.
• Contact us:  CEO.CEJA@illinois.gov.