South Cook News

Veteran state Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) is picturing a different, more ecofriendly Illinois that he hopes will arrive in the very near future. 

Hastings recently led the charge in passing the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act. The legislation is being touted as a historic measure that is expected to preserve and create jobs across the state. Having already passed both chambers of Congress, House Bill 1769 also provides a tax credit for manufacturers of electronic vehicles, parts, and power supplies.

“This new measure sets up Illinois to tap into a new manufacturing industry,” Hastings said in a release. “We are providing incentives to electric vehicle companies to set up shop in Illinois. These new good paying jobs will help grow our state’s economy and help us reduce global carbon emissions.”

Businesses in underserved areas, described as those with less than 100,000 populations, retired fossil fuel plants or closed mines, could receive larger perks. In addition, the amount of training cost tax credits can climb if new hires are recent college grads, certificate holders or credential recipients from a state college.

Already this year, Canadian-based manufacturer Lion Electric Company announced the all-electric, medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles maker was expanding into Illinois by opening a facility in Joliet, according to Hastings' office.

“I am proud to see Illinois’ step up to be a competitor and work diligently to encourage electric vehicle manufacturers to join the ranks of great employers and businesses in our state,” Hastings said in the release. “Green transportation is the future. We have the opportunity to reshape the transportation sector in our state and nation. We all must work together to clear the way for climate progress and seize the opportunity to create good-paying jobs for Illinois residents.”

Illinois now ranks ninth in the U.S. for auto production with more than 30,000 residents employed across the industry, according to the release. In addition, another 36,000 individuals work at auto parts makers in the state, according to the Illinois Manufacturing Association. And the state is already home to more than 5,000 workers in the electronic transportation industry, a number that is expected to double in the next two years.

“With the passage of the REV Act, Illinois is making clear that it intends to be a leading state in the burgeoning electric vehicle manufacturing industry,” Pritzker said in a statement, according to the State Journal-Register. “As a leader in clean energy and as a global transportation hub, Illinois is an ideal home for this important, climate-friendly industry."

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is among those supporting the change, with President Mark Denzler thanking the governor for and lawmakers “for partnering with us in a bipartisan manner to build on our state’s proud history of auto manufacturing,” he told the State Journal Register.

He added “this measure demonstrates what we can accomplish by working together, which is more important than ever before as we seek to rebuild our state’s economy following massive disruptions caused by the pandemic.”