Based on reporting from Crain's Chicago Business
Labor unions and environmental advocates are joining forces to push for passage of the Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability Act during the General Assembly’s veto session. The legislation would fund billions of dollars in large-scale battery storage projects designed to expand Illinois’ wind and solar capacity and stabilize electricity prices, which have surged for both households and businesses.
The proposal builds on the 2021 Climate & Equitable Jobs Act by authorizing 3 gigawatts of battery storage to reduce peak demand and giving the Illinois Commerce Commission greater authority to plan for future energy needs. It would also lift the state’s long-standing ban on large-scale nuclear plants, restoring regulators’ ability to direct power generation expansion. Lawmakers failed to pass a similar measure in the spring, but supporters say the coalition behind the bill this fall is broader and more unified.
“Energy capacity has to be addressed in Illinois,” said Rep. Jay Hoffman of Belleville. “The spikes that we’ve seen, beginning in June, on customers’ bills are unacceptable. We have to act.” ComEd customers in northern Illinois have seen electricity costs rise by up to 15%, while Ameren customers downstate faced summer increases of about 20%.
The legislation is supported by the Climate Jobs Coalition, which includes 11 unions such as the AFL-CIO and Illinois Federation of Teachers. Labor groups see new job opportunities tied to project labor agreements that would prioritize local union workers. Environmental advocates call the measure a necessary follow-up to CEJA, filling the gap in energy storage incentives. The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association opposes the bill, citing its estimated $7 billion cost, though supporters contend that stored energy sales will offset most expenses and ultimately reduce wholesale power prices statewide.
If approved, the bill would mark one of Illinois’ most significant energy initiatives since CEJA, combining labor, environmental, and governmental efforts to strengthen the state’s grid and support a cleaner, more reliable energy future. Governor JB Pritzker has endorsed lifting the nuclear construction ban and continues to urge lawmakers to take up broader energy reforms.
ISACo's analysis of SB 25 is available via this link.