Beyond the Headlines: Our Executive Director on the Future of Clean Energy
- Rachael N. Turner
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
As we continue to develop programming and education on Clean Energy and workforce development, it is vital to stay on top of changes in legislation, the focus of lawmakers, policy updates, and the overall climate.
Executive Director and GECC Co-Founder, Felicia Slaton-Young, provides valuable insight on today's headlines, considering the future of Englewood and the Greater Englewood Chamber.
*View Felicia's take in quotes and the source directly below.
"Our community stands to gain from these revolutionary improvements in our energy infrastructure as Illinois moves closer to its clean energy goals. From workforce development to energy cost reductions, the Greater Englewood Chamber is dedicated to making sure that area businesses and communities are prepared to capitalize on the opportunities brought about by sustainable energy projects. This development demonstrates the significance of equity-focused policies that give underprivileged communities first priority, assisting us in creating a more resilient and sustainable future for everybody."
After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid
State lawmakers are pushing for more grid-enhancing tech, gigawatts of new energy storage, and the creation of a virtual-power-plant program.
"For communities like Englewood, the proposed legislation to install 15GW of energy storage in Illinois is transformative. Through jobs and business opportunities in this developing industry, this effort not only helps us make the shift to sustainable energy but also opens doors for local economic growth. We at the Greater Englewood Chamber are excited to push for fair implementation so that these developments in sustainability and energy storage benefit Black and Brown neighborhoods."
Illinois legislators introduce bill to set 15GW energy storage target
Illinois State Senator Bill Cunningham and Representative Marcus Evans have introduced a bill aimed at reducing energy bills in the state and setting a 15GW energy storage deployment target.
House Bill 3758 (HB3758) has been read into the record for the first time and referred to the assignments committee, early in the process of becoming a law in Illinois.
"The most recent revisions to Illinois' solar legislation highlight how important renewable energy is to the state's future. More than just environmental progress, these developments offer hyper-local communities like Englewood the chance to lower energy prices, create jobs, and strengthen local resilience. Our goal as the Greater Englewood Chamber is to make sure that these policies result in real advantages for our citizens and small businesses, promoting fair economic development in Englewood and in all areas that have historically received less investment."
The Solar Policy Scoop: March 2025
Solar products from Mexico and Canada slapped with tariffs for first timeWashington, D.C. After President Donald Trump announced then quickly paused tariffs against Mexico and Canada in early February, the 30-day agreement is set to lapse on March 4. AP reports Trump plans to add an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods on that date too, after a bump of 10% went into effect on February 3.
"The ability of audacious, progressive action to solve climate concerns and generate economic opportunity is demonstrated by Illinois' leadership in clean energy legislation. Strong state regulations are necessary to promote fair access to clean energy investments, resources, and jobs for communities like Englewood. The Greater Englewood Chamber is dedicated to using these policy developments to empower community members and small businesses, making sure that the expansion of sustainable energy is transformative and inclusive for our community."
How did your state score on clean energy policy?
Could your state do more to provide the people who live in it with affordable and reliable clean energy? Judging by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s 2025 Community Power Scorecard, the answer is most likely “yes.”
Rather than evaluate states on a single statewide outcome or measure, like a clean energy standard, the Community Power Scorecard analyzes how state policies advance energy democracy and allow communities to choose their own paths. However, using a more flexible metric for progress doesn’t necessarily improve performance.
"The Chicago Quantum Corridor offers communities like Englewood a fantastic chance to participate in the technological and artificial intelligence innovations of the future. By encouraging workforce development, drawing in investments, and establishing avenues for small enterprises to prosper in a tech-driven society, this effort has the ability to completely change local economies. Our goal at the Greater Englewood Chamber is to make sure that these developments help our community in a significant way and are inclusive."
Chicago Quantum Corridor Nourishes Neighborhood Transformation in AI World
During 2024, the State of Illinois, several universities and a world leading quantum computing business process company announced commitments of several hundreds of millions of dollars for a quantum computing complex on a 128-acre portion of a former steel plant along Lake Michigan on the South Side of Chicago. It is designed to spark and synergize with greater Chicago's economy - agricultural, pharmaceutical, energy, material sciences, financial services, manufacturing, transportation and more.
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