Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program (CEJA)

The Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, is a state-funded workforce development initiative created under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The program is designed to expand access to clean energy employment opportunities for individuals currently incarcerated within the Illinois Department of Corrections who are approaching reentry into society. By targeting individuals within 36 months of release, the program aims to create a pipeline into the clean energy sector while addressing systemic barriers to employment for returning residents. The primary purpose of the program is to provide structured education, workforce training, and supportive services that prepare participants for entry-level positions in clean energy and related industries. Training is delivered within correctional facilities and includes both classroom instruction and hands-on learning experiences. The curriculum follows a standardized Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework to ensure consistency and alignment with industry needs. In addition to technical training, the program emphasizes job readiness, employment connections, and support systems that help participants transition successfully into the labor market upon release. Funding is provided through project grants, with total program funding of approximately six million dollars annually. Individual awards typically range from one million to two million dollars. While specific allowable costs and restrictions are not fully detailed in the program summary, they are expected to include training delivery, workforce development activities, and participant support services. Final funding terms, including allowable expenditures and administrative requirements, are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity and subsequent grant agreements. Eligible applicants include community-based organizations such as nonprofits, educational institutions, and local government entities that provide employment and skill development services. Applicants must demonstrate proximity to correctional facilities where services will be delivered and maintain established relationships with returning residents and partner organizations, including workforce development centers. Beneficiaries are individuals in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections who meet eligibility criteria such as age requirements, proximity to release, basic skills thresholds, and safety considerations as determined by the department. The application process is governed by a Notice of Funding Opportunity, which outlines submission procedures, required documentation, and evaluation criteria. Applications are reviewed based on factors such as organizational capacity, demonstrated need, quality of the proposed project, and budget alignment. The program uses a merit-based review process with a defined appeals procedure limited to challenges regarding the evaluation process rather than scoring outcomes. Applicants must submit appeals in writing within a specified timeframe following award announcements. The program operates on a rolling application basis, with an initial merit review cycle established for applications submitted by April 15, 2024. Award decisions are typically made within approximately 40 business days following submission. Grants may be renewed for periods ranging from two to twelve months, depending on performance and program needs. Reporting requirements include periodic programmatic and financial reports as well as documentation of participant outcomes such as employment rates, recidivism, and continued education achievements. Overall, the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program represents a strategic investment in workforce development, equity, and economic mobility. By combining correctional education with industry-aligned training and employer connections, the program seeks to reduce recidivism and expand access to sustainable careers in Illinois’ growing clean energy sector.