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About

A green bank is a mission-driven financial institution that uses public funding to unlock private investment in clean energy and climate solutions.

What does that look like at CEJJF?

For us, it means making sure homeowners, small businesses, local governments and the contractors who serve them can access the capital they need to upgrade their homes and buildings. By offering affordable financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency, we help people across the state make the places they live and work more energy efficient and healthier, lower their bills, and reduce carbon emissions.

Most importantly, it means putting frontline communities first. That includes rural areas, neighborhoods with fewer financial resources, and places hit hardest by high energy costs or pollution. We’re focused on directing support where it’s been missing for too long so the clean energy transition empowers the people and places who need it most.

Our Mission

The Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund’s (CEJJF) mission is to advance a fair and inclusive transition to clean energy across Illinois by:

  • expanding access to capital for clean energy businesses that face barriers to traditional financing,
  • helping homeowners and small businesses lower their energy costs, and
  • facilitating frontline communities’ access to clean energy solutions that foster healthier environments and stronger local economies.

Our Vision

By 2030, CEJJF envisions a just and resilient Illinois where frontline communities lead the transition to clean energy.

Through strategic investments and partnerships, we will propel transformative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects statewide, foster economic growth, and support the creation of quality jobs.

As a trusted community partner and leader in equitable green finance, our commitment is to ensure that everyone in Illinois, regardless of background, has access to the benefits of clean energy.

Our Values

Equity centered

We are justice-driven and equity-oriented in all we do. We prioritize those communities most impacted by environmental, economic, and racial injustice and ensure our work reflects their leadership and needs.

Community rooted

We honor and uplift the wisdom, assets, and aspirations of our state’s communities. We build programs with communities—not for them—and center co-creation, accountability, and mutual respect.

Collaborative by design

We believe impact deepens through partnership. We listen deeply, engage authentically, and build trusting relationships with partners across sectors, geographies, and lived experiences.

Committed to learning and growth

We embrace a growth mindset. As a learning organization, we evolve with humility, adapt with intention, and create space for reflection, experimentation, and shared learning.

Relentlessly impact-driven

We are practical visionaries, grounded in fiscal responsibility and good stewardship. Our work is focused on delivering measurable, meaningful, and lasting benefits to communities.

Courageously bold

We lead with hope, creativity, and courage. We take strategic risks and catalyze innovation where others hesitate, committed to transforming the clean energy sector to benefit all residents in Illinois – especially those that have been traditionally excluded from economic opportunity.