Pritzker’s signature climate law has seen slow progress on clean energy, green jobs promises

Christopher Williams, owner of Millennium Solar in Calumet City, was hoping for immediate benefits to his business from a 2021 Illinois climate law. He’s been training new workers — but with funding from past government programs — and has been frustrated that aspects of the law have been slow to come together. (Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times)

Two years ago, Illinois legislators passed a law that made big promises to fight climate change.

It would reduce air pollution by phasing out electricity created by burning fossil fuels and lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs in clean energy industries, especially for Black and Latino residents, who often bear the brunt of pollution because of their proximity to coal-and gas-burning power plants.