Illinois Energy Bill Will Expand Renewable Energy Training in South Suburbs

ALSIP, IL -- Passage of the Future Energy Jobs Bill in Springfield is expected to bring jobs and expanded training in renewable energy to the south suburbs. Included in SB 2814 is funding to provide training for electricians throughout the state to work on solar and wind turbine projects. The bill was passed in the Illinois Senate 32-18.

One of those training centers will be located at the IBEW/NECA Technical Institute, 6201 W 115th St Alsip. Sen. Bill Cunningham, who voted for the bill on Thursday, thought it was a net gain for the 18th District, which includes portions of Worth, Orland and Palos Townships in the southwest suburbs, and Chicago’s Mt. Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park and Auburn-Gresham neighborhoods.

“There was opposition but I think there are more positives than negatives,” Cunningham said. “Expansion of green energy training that will go on in Alsip will create and preserve jobs for electrical workers.”

The sweeping bill is a merger of the Clean Energy Bill and the Excelon Bill. SB 2814 maintains Illinois’s competitive rates while spurring job growth and billions of dollars in investment in clean energy and energy efficiency across the state.

The technical training institute in Alsip already has a program in place for solar and wind energies. The bill sets aside $3 million that will allow IBEW/NECA to expand the program for training and retraining electricians.

“These are good paying, living wage jobs,” Cunningham said.

SB 2814 is now headed to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk for his signature. Once signed, the bill will take effect June 1, 2017.