Giving Tuesday: Help Fight the Climate Crisis!

In This Issue

• Giving Tuesday!

• In Brief

  • Volunteer with Climate Mobilization Project

  • SEDAC Jobs

  • Illinois EPA Rebate Applications for EV Purchases

• The November Election and Continuing the Fight

Giving Tuesday 2024!

Giving Tuesday is today, December 3, 2024 and 350 Chicago is working hard to make sure all donations are working as hard as possible to make a difference pushing for climate solutions in Chicago.

Your donation to 350 Chicago can go TWICE AS FAR to fight the climate crisis, but time is running out. All gifts through tomorrow (up to a total of $5,000) will be matched. Will you make a gift now, so that your gift can be doubled and have twice the impact?

Local climate action has never been more important than it is right now. We’re small but effective, and we’re committed to keep fighting the climate crisis from here in Illinois. But we need your help to make that happen. We use our funds to:

• Raise awareness of the climate crisis in Chicago and Illinois.

• Advocate for better climate policies, including the Illinois State Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, clean energy, utility accountability and ending the fossil fuel era.

• Build coalitions with other climate, environmental, and social justice groups

• Perform outreach to communities in Chicago and Illinois.

• Strengthen our current State Divestment and Utility Accountability Campaigns by hiring organizers

• Grow our organization

• Empower thousands of Chicagoans to take action

With gratitude,

350 Chicago

In Brief

Volunteer with Climate Mobilization Project

Volunteer with Climate Mobilization Project this December! Volunteer roles are available in person in Chicago from now until tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4.

Climate Mobilization Project builds the leadership of young BIPOC climate justice organizers across the South and Southwest while growing a nationwide movement for survival in an era of disasters and crises. To learn more, contact Rebecca via call or text at 847-420-4841

SEDAC Job Openings

There are several job openings available now at the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center or SEDAC, an applied Research Facility at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

They work on many areas: energy efficiency assessments, education, climate action planning, green business assessment and certification as well as many others. They are growing and looking to hire more staff.

Interested? Take a look here: SEDAC Job Openings

Illinois EPA Opening up a New Round of Rebate Applications for EV Purchases

Considering buying an electric car in Illinois? The Illinois EPA will open the next rebate application cycle from January 21, 2025 to April 30, 2025. The program may provide a rebate to anyone meeting the requirements and in particular for anyone meeting the “low income” requirement.

Illinois residents that purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer may be eligible for an Illinois' Electric Vehicle Rebate:

• A $4,000 rebate for the purchase of an all-electric vehicle (non-motorcycle)

• A $1,500 rebate for the purchase of an all-electric motorcycle.

See the Illinois EPA’s Electric Vehicle Rebate Program and FAQ for details

The November Election and Continuing the Fight

by Kaitlin Cordes, President of the Board of 350 Chicago

Friends,

Our hearts break for what the November election will mean for the climate, but we also know that our work is now more important than ever. Trump’s in the pocket of Big Oil, and he has pledged to decimate federal climate solutions. That’s why sustained local and state climate action will be crucial in the next four years. 350 Chicago is dedicated to local action, and we won’t stop fighting for a livable future.

We’re a small organization with big concrete wins, and we’re working hard to scale our impact. In the past several years, we’ve:

• Succeeded in getting the city of Chicago to divest from fossil fuels, moving $70 million out of the dirty assets that drive the climate crisis.

• Built on our Chicago success to advance fossil fuel divestment in Illinois, resulting in both houses of the General Assembly introducing divestment bills.

• Established broader statewide support for fossil fuel divestment, through our Climate Safe Pensions Illinois coalition, which added 15 organizations in 3 short months.

• Undertaken a utility accountability campaign pushing for reform of Investor Owned Utilities, so that they stop charging ratepayers for anti-climate lobbying expenses.

• Increased climate education and outreach in the region through an ongoing climate speaker series, as well as tabling efforts that have sent 1,500+ postcards to lawmakers.

• Served as an ally to frontline communities and youth activists in the Midwest, including by organizing and marching in multiple climate protests.

• Hired Larry Coble as our first Executive Director in Fall 2024: our first full-time hire, allowing us to increase our effectiveness.

Scientists tell us that every fraction of a degree matters, and every climate action counts. We will continue to put in the work to fight the climate crisis, and we are grateful to have you with us.

And YOU – as part of a local climate group – can be part of the solution. If you’re looking for a way to get even more involved, please reach out! You can find more info & sign up to volunteer here.