Chicago Urban League Part of City’s New Solar Project

CHICAGO – The Chicago Urban League (Chicago, IL) is playing a major part in the city’s quest to convert all city facilities and operations to renewable energy by 2025.

Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, along with the city’s Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS) visited the Urban League to announce the agreement. The agreement is with Constellation, in collaboration with Swift Current Energy.

The solar project will be named Double Black Diamond Solar, and will be one of the largest solar projects in Illinois.

The agreement has several key important workforce development and equity commitments, which is where the Urban League comes in.

Under the agreement, both Constellation and Swift Current Energy have made financial commitments that will fund job training, apprenticeships, and other programs that will focus on a diverse workforce that focuses on clean energy and sustainability.

Another aspect of the agreement is that all parties will work together to ascertain that Double Black Diamond Solar is in compliance with the renewable diverse workforce and labor requirements of Illinois’ Clean Economy Jobs Act. One of the key points of the project is that it will have a labor agreement, which will pay prevailing wages and have at least 10% of the project workforce be equity-eligible individuals.

Mayor Lightfoot said, “I am incredibly proud to advance this commitment to transitioning all city operations to 100% renewable energy by 2025. The signing of this agreement demonstrates that the city of Chicago is leading by example and driving high-impact climate actions, building the clean energy workforce of the future, and equitably distributing meaningful benefits to foster the local clean energy for all.”

Karen Freeman-Wilson, president and CEO of the Urban League, agreed with the mayor’s sentiment. “The Chicago Urban League commends the city on achieving its ambitions goal while ensuring that workforce development is prioritized through a new community benefits program. One of the ways the League works to advance economic equity is by preparing people from underserved communities for in-demand jobs that ensure they can participate in the future economy. Over the past few years, more than 200 individuals have gone through our solar panel installation training programs, and some of our graduates were incredibly proud to be part of the team that completed one of the largest solar projects in Chicago earlier this year – the installation of a solar rood and carpool and our headquarters. Being a part of the renewable energy workforce will change lives.”

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