Climate & Energy: Jobs, Justice, and a Livable Future

The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat.. it’s here, now. From historic floods in the Midwest to deadly heatwaves and rising utility costs, families across Illinois and the nation are already paying the price of inaction. Meanwhile, Trump and his allies in Congress continue to serve Big Oil, rolling back protections and denying science.

I’m running for Congress to fight for bold, equitable climate solutions that center working families and create millions of good-paying jobs, starting right here in Illinois.

What I Support:

A Green New Deal for Jobs and Justice

I support the Green New Deal framework and will work to pass legislation that:

• Creates a Civilian Climate Corps to train and employ millions in clean energy, disaster response, and infrastructure repair.

• Invests in union-built green energy infrastructure like wind, solar, storage, and transit, especially in communities most harmed by pollution and disinvestment.

• Expands clean manufacturing through federal procurement, so U.S. workers build the future.

This isn’t about banning burgers, it’s about clean air, clean water, and economic freedom. Let’s make climate action a win for workers and the planet.

Illinois Can Be a Renewable Powerhouse

Illinois is already seeing growth in solar and wind but we’re just getting started. With the right federal leadership, we can turn Illinois into a clean energy export hub for the region. I will:

• Fight to expand Department of Energy grants for large-scale solar and wind projects in our state.

• Prioritize funding for community-led and rural clean energy cooperatives.

• Modernize our grid to handle renewable power and protect against outages and cyberattacks.

Green Homes for Working Families

Clean energy shouldn’t be a luxury. I support a federal Green Home Forgiveness Loan Program to help working and middle-class homeowners go green with zero upfront cost:

• Interest-free loans for solar, insulation, electric heat pumps, and energy-efficient appliances.

• Loan forgiveness after five years of homeownership.

• Prorated repayment only if you sell or move before then.

This would build on the Inflation Reduction Act’s energy efficiency rebates, but go further by making upgrades accessible to every homeowner—not just the wealthiest.

Climate Justice Is Economic and Racial Justice

Climate change hits hardest in the communities with the fewest resources: Black, Latino, Indigenous, rural, and low-income neighborhoods. We must ensure no community is left behind.

I’ll fight to:

• Restore and expand NOAA climate research, EPA enforcement, and Justice40 funding for frontline communities.

• Increase FEMA disaster relief to match the new scale of climate-driven emergencies.

• Enforce environmental review and community consent before pipelines, refineries, or toxic projects break ground—starting by reforming the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

We’re Out of Time for Half-Measures

Illinois has the talent, the workforce, and the land to lead America’s clean energy future but we need Washington to match our urgency.

Let’s pass bold climate legislation that empowers families, not punishes them. Let’s build a future where clean air, good jobs, and environmental justice are the norm, not the exception.

I’m ready to fight for that future in Congress. Are you with me?