Governor Pritzker Highlights Illinois' Climate Leadership in State of the State Address

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Governor JB Pritzker delivered his State of the State and budget address today. The speech highlighted Illinois’ climate leadership, including the 100% carbon-free energy by 2045 requirement in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), and the successful passage of the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act which is designed to bolster manufacturing in the state. The proposed budget includes numerous environmental priorities including funding for enforcement of the Clean Air Act, CEJA, and resources for new electric vehicle consumer rebates. 

Following is a statement from J.C. Kibbey, Senior Illinois Clean Energy Advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): 

“Governor Pritzker's budget shows his ongoing commitment to implementing the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and delivering on its promises.  

“It also sets out a whole-of-government approach to tackling climate change, and a vision of making Illinois the best state in the nation to drive and manufacture electric vehicles. 

“We have more work to do to solidify Illinois as a national leader on climate and clean vehicles, including enacting policies that strengthen our support for electric cars and trucks. The Governor’s leadership in CEJA and this budget provide an excellent foundation to build upon." 

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.