What happens when you put local changemakers in one room together? Change!

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, UCM partnered with Advanced Energy Group for the East St. Louis Stakeholder Challenge on Health, Prosperity and Resilience to answer this question…

“Regarding health, prosperity and resilience for East St. Louis, a critical obstacle to collectively overcome in 12-months is ____.”

Community leaders identified obstacles, presented solutions, and worked together to vote on one priority for collective action. The goal: create change in 12 months.

Obstacle #1: Absence of a clearly defined collaborative framework to empower local residents with training, resources, and leadership opportunities needed to drive clean energy initiatives. 

Kristol Watley-Simms from Ameren presented a solution to the missing puzzle pieces that are restricting the community from great economic benefits, including jobs with livable wages. Her concern lies in the fact that benefits earmarked for this state are able to be directed and utilized in the East St. Louis area. Our challenge is to make sure the community knows what is available. That we come together in rooms such as this and then spread out to do the work. 

“The people we care about are able to recognize that those benefits are able to exist here.”

The key focus areas of this solution are priorities, key stakeholders, Ameren’s role in this solution and identifying upcoming opportunities, leveraging their existing problems in the area such as with the school district and housing authorities. 

Obstacle #2: Underutilized land and lack of employer engagement.

Despite having land, labor, and vision, East St. Louis lacks employers. With over 1,300 vacant lots and most clean energy opportunities occurring in Madison County – the solution: a Clean Energy Industrial Park, bringing jobs to St. Clair County.

Darnell Tingle & Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde solution (East St. Louis Industrial Park) focuses on clean energy jobs in St. Clair County. Although IL is leading in clean energy, most of the jobs in the area are only in Madison County. The opportunity exists based on what is already on the table for Illinois state. There is an estimate of 1300 vacant buildings and lots in the area. This energy park will ensure that our local talent does not leave us.   

Obstacle #3: Climate change and community environmental and economic injustice.

Tim Michaels with Energy Resources Group presented investing solar energy is the solution to economic injustice. Mapping out the statistics of what it would look like and how homes would be individually benefitted.  

Obstacle #4: Food insecurity. Food is essential for an active and healthy life. There are only 3 grocery stores in East St. Louis, one does not have fresh produce. 

Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside Administrator at East Side Health District believes that the health of the community begins with accessible and healthier food options. There are an abundance of service stations and liquor stores but a heavy lack of grocery stores with fresh produce. “If the people are hungry, they can’t get up to go to work. If you are hungry, you cannot learn.” Lack of healthy food choices lead to health issues such as hypertension and diabetes. An inadequate diet is the center of most medical issues. Her solution is to collaborate, identify and secure long-term resources to support existing community activists addressing food insecurity. Also getting on doctors to get on board with promoting healthier diets to their patients. 

Everyone in the room was engaged, motivated and willing to discuss the problems and possible solutions. Being able to see who is in the room (who you may or may not know) is committed to the same causes encourages collaboration. The discussion became powerful as those in the room expressed their personal buyins as well as what they felt is needed in this community. 

The room consensus toggled between Obstacles 1 and 2, with #1 ultimately being chosen to commit to. The discussion continued, breaking into small groups to provide an actionable plan. The day concluded with the formation of a joint task force to spearhead the solution of Obstacle #1: Absence of a clearly defined collaborative framework to empower local residents with training, resources, and leadership opportunities needed to drive clean energy initiatives. 

The energy and passion from the AEG East St. Louis Stakeholder Challenge doesn’t stop here. Now it’s time to take action where it counts—at the State Capitol. Sign up for Lobby Day and stand alongside Illinois’ environmental movement as we meet with legislators and advocate for the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition Platform.

Together, we can push for bold legislation that advances climate justice and equity across transportation, buildings, and power.

Your voice matters. Your presence makes a difference. Let’s show up, speak out, and shape a cleaner, fairer future for all.

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