Chicago, A Green-Collar Jobs Pioneer

Mayor Richard Daley has declared his intention of transforming Chicago into the "the greenest city in America" - and green jobs are a key component of this effort. For the last 12 years, Chicago has administered a green-collar job training program called "GreenCorps Chicago." Over the course of 9 months, program participants - primarily ex-offenders - receive training in one of four separate tracks: landscaping and urban gardening; computer refurbishing and recycling; household hazardous waste handling; and home weatherization. While receiving training, participants give back by building community gardens or refurbishing computers for underprivileged residents.

The city has also worked to leverage its purchasing power to generate green-collar jobs, such as attracting two solar power manufacturers to the city by committing to purchasing solar panels. As a result, Chicago has over 2 megawatts of solar generating capacity, more than any U.S. city outside of the Southwest. According to Sadhu Johnston, Chief Environmental Officer for the City of Chicago, the implementation of the city's comprehensive climate action plan could add 5,000 to 10,000 jobs annually in construction, weatherization, engineering, auditing, and other areas. Chicago's programs have also prioritized reaching the most underprivileged population demographics in the city - ensuring that ambitious green strategies also provide pathways out of poverty to those in need.

Excerpted from Green-Collar Jobs in America’s Cities by Green for All, the Apollo Alliance, Center for American Progress, and Center on Wisconsin Strategy. Published March 2008