SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) believes energy legislation that passed the General Assembly today takes firm steps to address climate change by setting deadlines for increased clean energy use and, fossil fuel-burning plant closures, as well as establishing incentives to speed up the adoption of electric vehicles.

“Climate change is everyone’s problem,” Martwick said. “If we don’t act now, our children and grandchildren will face an increasingly harsh world, dominated by heat, extreme weather, droughts, and water scarcity.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 2408, would set a goal of a 100% clean energy economy in Illinois by 2050. It also would establish deadlines along the way for the adoption of more renewable energy and the closure or conversion of fossil fuel-burning plants. To help encourage more people to purchase electric vehicles, it would create a consumer rebate and incentives to build more charging stations in locations across the state.

The comprehensive measure also would create a number of safeguards for Illinois’ energy consumers, helping lower costs and increase utility company accountability. For example, it would formally empower the Illinois Commerce Commission to investigate ComEd – and any other utility companies found guilty of criminal behavior – and impose penalties that could include returning money to customers. It also would ban the practice of charging “convenience fees” for customers who prefer to pay using debit or credit cards rather than enrolling in auto-pay or direct bank transfers.

“We not only need to fight climate change, we need to modernize Illinois’ entire utility system,” Martwick said. “That means creating good-paying clean energy jobs and requiring utility companies to accept common forms of payment without charging extra fees.”

The legislation, which now goes to the governor for his signature, is expected to create or preserve tens of thousands of good-paying jobs in the clean energy economy, supported by a robust network of training programs.

SPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) joined his colleagues to take action on the future of Illinois’ energy production and began laying out the framework for the state to move forward with clean and safe energy and good-paying jobs for future generations.

“This legislation will help us invest in the future of our state,” Martwick said. “Creating tens of thousands of jobs through clean energy programs will ensure that we are on the right path in the fight against climate change.”

This legislation, SB 18 makes Illinois a national leader in reducing carbon emissions through renewable, reliable and affordable energy suppliers, as well as training programs for thousands of well-paying jobs. Creating programs to set Illinois on an aggressive path to fully renewable energy generation by 2050, these investments in renewable energy are the largest in the history of Illinois.

Under the plan, Illinois would be investing in large solar construction across the state to help provide renewable energy to residents. The state would also be investing in nuclear power plants and ensuring that Illinois will not choose to import energy from carbon-polluting plants.

“Our focus is to position Illinois as the leader of the renewable energy future,” Martwick said. “Securing thousands of jobs for the people of Illinois means more economic stability for residents who will find security in the clean-energy sector.”

The legislation would create a number of statewide programs to help train these new workers for the clean-energy sector and green energy jobs with a focus on minority and lower-income communities.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law spearheaded by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) that will help public state workers better save for retirement was signed into law Friday.

“Employees across the state deserve to know their hard work will pay off into retirement,” Martwick said. “Encouraging people to invest in their futures earlier on will allow for more savings that leads to more financial stability.”

SPRINGFIELD - A new law sponsored by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) gives public workers a better way to save for retirement.

“I’m happy the governor signed this plan to make better retirement savings available to many people in Illinois,” Martwick said. “Encouraging public workers to invest in their retirement early on will allow for greater savings later in life and a more financially stable future.”

SPRINGFIELD – Today, legislation sponsored by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) that ensures medical coverage for Chicago first responders injured in the line of duty was signed into law by the governor.

“Our firefighters and police officers put themselves in danger every day.  When they are injured in service to our community, their medical treatment should be covered,” said Martwick.

CHICAGO – The board of Chicago Public Schools will be fully elected thanks to a new law spearheaded by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).

“With today’s historic new law, our great city is now on track to be at the forefront of community-led education,” Martwick said. “Parents have always deserved a say in how their kids’ schools are run, and now, they’ll have it. An elected school board opens up a world of possibilities, and because of it, the future of Chicago’s youth is bright.”

House Bill 2908 creates a fully elected school board for Chicago Public Schools that will be in effect after Nov. 2026. In Nov. 2024, a two-year hybrid period begins, with 10 members being elected to four-year terms, 10 members being appointed by the mayor to two-year terms, and the board president being appointed by the mayor for a four-year term.

SPRINGFIELD – Today the Illinois House of Representatives passed legislation, House Bill 2908, spearheaded by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-10) and Representative Delia Ramirez that would enact an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools. Martwick issued the following statement:

“Creating an elected school board allows for more accountability, more democracy, and more community influence on our city’s school board. We need a school board that acts in the interests of our students, families, and communities.

SPRINGFIELD – A group of Chicago-based state Senators, led by State Senator Robert Martwick (Senate District 10), is celebrating the Senate passage of a proposal to enact an elected school board for Chicago Public Schools. Martwick issued the following statement:

“Today’s win in the culmination of a decade-long fight that is an important step toward giving our communities a say in how the schools their children attend are run. We’re delivering accountability to the school board and ensuring that the people who will be making the decisions about how CPS is run and will always act in the best interests of CPS students and families.”