Audit shows Pritzker administration missed mark on equity requirements of historic clean energy law – wandtv.com

Audit Report on Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act: A Sustainable Development Goals Perspective

Executive Summary

A compliance audit conducted by the Illinois Auditor General for the period of June 2022 to June 2024 reveals significant failures by the Pritzker administration to meet key equity requirements of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) did not successfully implement multiple provisions designed to ensure a just transition to clean energy. These shortcomings directly impede the state’s progress toward several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning clean energy, decent work, and reduced inequalities.

Key Audit Findings and SDG Implications

The audit identified critical lapses in the implementation of CEJA, which was established to move Illinois toward 100% clean energy by 2050. These failures have direct consequences for achieving specific SDG targets.

• Failure to Ensure Equitable Job Placement: The state did not dedicate at least one-third of the clean jobs workforce program placements to applicants from environmentally and economically impacted communities. This directly contravenes the principles of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by failing to prioritize marginalized groups in the green economy transition. It also hinders progress on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by limiting access to new, sustainable employment opportunities for those who need them most.
• Non-Administration of Key Programs: The DCEO failed to implement crucial support systems mandated by the act.
  1. The clean energy contractor incubator program for 13 community-based organizations was not administered. This represents a setback for SDG 8, as it fails to foster entrepreneurship and build capacity for small businesses within the clean energy sector.
  2. The returning residents’ clean jobs training program was not started, despite a 2021 mandate. This inaction undermines SDG 10 by neglecting to provide pathways to economic inclusion for formerly incarcerated individuals, a key element of a just transition.
• Delayed Funding and Support: Approximately $30 million allocated for local grants and job opportunities in 2023 was not effectively deployed. Communities designated for support, such as Decatur, had yet to receive funding, impacting local progress toward SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Institutional Barriers to SDG Achievement

The report attributes the implementation failures to significant institutional weaknesses, highlighting a challenge related to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), which calls for effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

• Administrative Deficiencies: Delays were caused by the failure to pass program rules and appoint key administrative personnel.
• Excessive Staff Vacancies: The DCEO reported a 50% vacancy rate among its 785 positions during the audit period. The Auditor General noted that such a high vacancy rate compromises operational capacity and public transparency, directly impacting the institution’s ability to execute its legislative mandate and advance the state’s SDG-aligned goals.

Stakeholder Responses and Future Outlook

Stakeholders acknowledged the delays while expressing commitment to the act’s objectives.

• Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO): The department accepted the audit’s findings, noting that significant progress has been made since the audit was conducted. A spokesperson stated that the audit helps identify areas needing legislative updates, streamlining, or additional resources to improve outcomes for Illinois communities.
• Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC): The advocacy group attributed initial delays to the COVID-19 pandemic and administrative red tape but affirmed that implementation is now achieving “tremendous success.” The coalition stressed the importance of state leadership in creating clean energy jobs and advancing progress toward SDG 7 and SDG 8.

Moving forward, strengthening institutional capacity within DCEO is paramount to ensure that the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act can fully realize its potential to advance an inclusive and sustainable energy transition in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • The article focuses on the “Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,” which has a primary goal of “moving Illinois toward 100% clean energy by 2050.” This directly aligns with the objective of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • The legislation is explicitly named the “Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,” highlighting its dual purpose. The article discusses the creation of “clean energy jobs,” the establishment of a “clean jobs workforce network program,” and specific training initiatives like the “returning residents’ clean jobs training program.” These elements are central to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and productive employment.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  • A core issue highlighted is the failure to meet “key equity requirements.” The law was intended to benefit “marginalized communities” and ensure that at least one-third of job placements went to people in “areas impacted by economic and environmental hardship.” The failure to implement programs for these groups and for “returning residents” directly relates to the goal of reducing inequality within and among countries.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • The article states that the act is a “historic step toward decarbonizing the state.” This goal is a direct form of climate action, aiming to combat climate change and its impacts by transitioning away from fossil fuels.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • The article is an analysis of a compliance audit that found significant failures in a state agency, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Issues such as the failure to implement mandated programs, “excessive vacancies” with “50% of those jobs” unfilled, and a resulting lack of “transparency to the general public” all point to challenges in creating effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article’s central policy, aiming for “100% clean energy by 2050,” is a state-level implementation of this target.

2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… The act’s focus on creating “clean energy jobs” and establishing a “clean jobs workforce network program” aims to fulfill this target.
   • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The creation of training programs, specifically the “returning residents’ clean jobs training program,” is directly related to this goal of providing pathways to employment for specific populations.

3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all… The article highlights the law’s specific provisions for “marginalized communities,” “returning residents,” and those in “areas impacted by economic and environmental hardship,” which are designed to promote their economic inclusion.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome… The audit’s finding that Illinois “failed to deliver for marginalized communities” shows a failure to meet this target, as the equitable provisions of the law were not properly implemented to ensure equal opportunity.

4. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The “Climate and Equitable Jobs Act” is a clear example of a state-level policy that integrates climate change measures (“decarbonizing the state”) into its legislative planning.

5. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The audit’s findings of “excessive vacancies,” failure to implement programs because “rules of the program had not been passed or key positions had not been filled,” and the impact on “transparency to the general public” directly address the effectiveness and accountability of the DCEO.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Quantitative Indicators

   • Share of renewable energy: The ultimate goal is “100% clean energy by 2050.” Progress can be measured by the percentage of clean energy achieved over time.
   • Proportion of job placements for equity-deserving groups: The article explicitly mentions a required indicator that was not met: “dedicate at least one-third of the clean jobs workforce network program placements to applicants living in areas impacted by economic and environmental hardship.”
   • Institutional capacity: A direct indicator of institutional weakness is mentioned: “50% of those jobs [in DCEO] sat vacant.” The percentage of filled positions is a measurable indicator of the agency’s capacity to implement the law.
   • Program funding: The article mentions that “$30 million into these programs” was allocated, which serves as an input indicator for the planned activities.

2. Qualitative/Programmatic Indicators

   • Program Implementation Status: The article implies several yes/no or status-based indicators by noting that the DCEO “failed to administer the clean energy contractor incubator program” and “did not start the returning residents’ clean jobs training program.” The status of these programs (not started, in progress, completed) is a key indicator of progress.
   • Establishment of Administrative Framework: The article implies that a key barrier was that the “rules of the program had not been passed or key positions had not been filled.” Therefore, the formal establishment of program rules and the filling of key administrative roles are crucial process indicators.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wandtv.com