Clean-air jobs are growing in Illinois

by Brett Peveto
Illinois News Connection

In Illinois, the average wage for clean-energy workers is a little over $22 an hour.
CHICAGO - A new look at clean-energy jobs in the U.S. shows growth in Illinois and the prospect of greater gains in the future.

The Department of Energy recently released its annual U.S. Energy and Employment report showing clean-energy jobs increased nearly 4% nationally over the last year, faster than the overall rate of job growth in the nation.

Illinois saw more than 3% growth in clean-energy jobs.

Micaela Preskill, Midwest advocate for the group Environmental Entrepreneurs, said the state is poised to see more growth.

"There's a huge variety of jobs and the types of workers and companies in this industry," Preskill pointed out. "And it has lots of promise to continue putting people to work in Illinois, and to really see tremendous growth in the coming years."

She noted the clean energy industry in Illinois supports more than 123,000 jobs.

Jobs in the clean-energy sector include renewable-energy generation, grid modernization and storage, efficiency upgrades, as well as clean vehicle manufacturing. When looking at the clean-energy industry, researchers at E2 have found wages in the sector on average to be above the national median wage and Preskill added it holds true in Illinois.

"In Illinois, the average wage for clean-energy workers is a little over $22 an hour," Preskill reported. "Which is 13% above the state median wage."

The Department of Energy report showed the energy sector nationally has recovered 71% of the jobs lost during the pandemic, but the distribution of jobs has shifted across technologies.

Preskill noted the current DOE report is based on last year's numbers and does not capture the full impact of recent legislation.

"We've tracked 193 projects that will create 66,000 jobs and amount to $84 billion in private investment," Preskill explained. "And that's just looking at the Inflation Reduction Act. We know that there's been expansion in Illinois, in particular the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, and even other federal climate policy."

The state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act was passed in 2021.

St. Joseph-Ogden soccer schedule set

Champaign - St. Joseph-Ogden's Jackson Greer battles for ball possession in last fall's road soccer game against St. Thomas More. The Spartans, who lost Jackson and 10 seniors in May, will play 11 home games this season at the newly renovated Dick Duval Field this season. SJO finished third in the 2022 Illini Prairie Conference standings with a 4-2 record and 18-5-1 overall.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

2023 SJO Soccer Schedule

8/18/2023 - 5:30 PM Fall Kick-Off-INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGE Home
08/21/2023* - 4:30 AM @ Oakwood High School AWAY
8/22/2023 - 4:30 PM vs. Argenta Oreana High School Home
08/24/2023* - 4:30 PM vs. Uni High School Home
8/25/2023 - 4:30 PM @ Hoopeston Area High School AWAY
8/26/2023 - 10:00 AM vs. Iroquois West High School Home
8/28/2023 - 4:30 PM @ Schlarman Academy AWAY
8/30/2023 - 4:15 PM @ Meridian High School - A-O Soccer Tourney AWAY
8/31/2023 - 6:00 PM @ Argenta Oreana High School - A-O Soccer Tourney AWAY
9/2/2023 - TBA @ TBA - A-O Soccer Tourney AWAY
9/4/2023 - 4:30 PM vs. Bismarck-Henning High School Home
09/05/2023* - 4:30 PM vs. Fisher High School Home
9/7/2023 - 4:30 PM vs. St. Thomas More High School Home
9/11/2023 - 4:30 PM @ Blue Ridge High School AWAY
9/14/2023 - 4:30 PM @ Olympia High School AWAY
9/16/2023 - 10:00 AM @ Illinois Valley Central High School AWAY
9/19/2023 - 4:30 PM vs. Unity High School Home
9/20/2023 - 4:30 PM vs. Georgetown Ridge Farm High School Home
9/25/2023 - 4:30 PM vs. Champaign Judah Christian High School Home
9/26/2023 - 4:30 PM @ Bloomington Central Catholic High School AWAY
9/28/2023 - 4:30 PM vs. Rantoul High School Home
9/29/2023 - 6:00 PM @ St. Anne High School AWAY
10/2/2023 - 4:30 PM @ Watseka High School AWAY
10/3/2023 - 4:30 PM vs. Monticello High School Home
10/5/2023 - 4:30 PM @ Arthur Lovington High School AWAY


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2023 Unity Rockets Football Schedule

TOLONO - The Unity football team opens its 30th season under head coach Scott Hamilton at Hicks Field on Friday, August 25th against Prairie Central. The Hawks, who ran last season's conference table with a perfect 8-0 record, look to avenge their 14-0 Class 3A quarterfinal loss to the Rockets.

After a home game with St. Joseph-Ogden the following week and a road game with Illinois Valley Central, Unity will host last year's Class 2A state champs St. Teresa in a non-conference affair on September 15.

The Rockets will finish the schedule alternating three away and two home games. The team's last home game and Senior Night will be on October 13 against Paxton-Buckley Loda.

See complete schedule and school information below.

Unity wide receiver Jay Saunders goes up for a pass during first half action against Illinois Valley Central. Grey Ghost Andrew Burwell broke up the long pass play but it did not stop the Rockets from rolling to a 62-20 win on September 9, 2022, in their highest scoring game of the season. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Junior varsity quarterback Ryan Rink runs the ball on a keeper in the fourth quarter, putting another six points on the scoreboard against IVC in 2022. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Sophomore Dallas Hollingsworth blocks while seeing fourth quarter action against the Grey Ghosts. Look for the 6'1", 300-pound lineman to be a major asset for the Rockets in the upcoming season. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


2023 Unity High School Football Schedule

Aug 25 - Prairie Central - 7:00 - Home
Sep 1 - St. Joseph-Ogden - 7:00 - Home
Sep 8 - Illinois Valley Central - 7:00 - Away
Sep 15 - St. Teresa - 7:00 - Home
Sep 22 - Central Catholic - 7:00 - Away
Sep 29 - Pontiac - 7:00 - Home
Oct 6 - Rantoul - 7:00 - Away
Oct 13 - Paxton-Buckley-Loda - 7:00 - Home
Oct 20 - Monticello - 7:00 - Away


School Information

Unity High School
1127 County Rd. 800N
Tolono, IL 61880
Phone: 217-485-6230
Fax: 217-485-6220
School Web Site: www.unityrockets.com
Athletic Web Site: 8to18.com


Other links:

  • IHSA School Data
  • MaxPreps
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Nickname: Rockets
    Colors: Maroon/White
    Conference: Illini Prairie
    Enrollment: 516

    Administration
    Superintendent: Andrew Larson - larsona@unity.k12.il.us
    Phone: 217-485-6510

    Principal: Bill Behrends - behrendsb@unity.k12.il.us

    Athletic Director: Scott Hamilton - hamilton@unity.k12.il.us
    Phone: 217-485-6735 ... Fax: 217-485-6220

    Boys Football Head Coach: Scott Hamilton - hamilton@unity.k12.il.us




    Photos this week


    The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team hosted Oakwood-Salt Fork in their home season opener on Monday. After a strong start, the Spartans fell after a strong second-half rally by the Comets, falling 5-1. Here are 33 photos from the game.