Gov. JB Pritzker should be lauded for his support of electric vehicles and efforts to create EV manufacturing jobs right here in Illinois.
Today China is way ahead of the U.S. in making and selling EVs and is taking over the world market, in large part because incoming President Donald Trump rolled back Obama-era fuel economy standards that would have accelerated American electric car manufacturing. With its open hostility towards electric vehicles, it’s unclear how Trump’s next federal government will support or attack the billions of dollars already invested in retooling and building American EV factories to compete in the global marketplace.
Walking away from EVs now automatically cedes U.S. leadership to China. Illinois leaders should never side with those who would sell out America and American workers.
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Though the news of layoffs at Lion’s electric school bus factory is disappointing, it still plans to revive production. And, contrary to a statement published in a letter in the Sun-Times, electric car-maker Rivian is not “basically bankrupt.” In fact, Wall Street thinks Rivian is well-positioned to take a significant share of the massive emerging opportunity for electric vehicles over the next decade. That’s why both Govs. Bruce Rauner and JB Pritzker supported efforts to grow a company that has produced more than 100,000 EVs and created thousands of jobs right here in Illinois.
Moving Illinois to a zero-emissions transportation future will protect us from tailpipe pollution and save hundreds of lives and millions of dollars in associated costs every year. People and businesses want cleaner, more reliable electric vehicles that don’t cost an arm and a leg to fuel and maintain. The state is investing over $250 million in building the charging networks we need. And if Illinois adopted EV sales requirements for vehicle manufacturers like 12 other leading states have done, people could get the vehicles they want even faster and more affordably.
Ensuring that automakers sell cleaner, quieter and money-saving EVs here will give Illinois residents healthier air, more consumer choice and greater cost savings. Gov. Pritzker should uphold his clean air commitments and implement the zero-emission car and truck standards to secure Illinois’ record as a clean transportation leader.
Brian Urbaszewski, director, Environmental Health Programs, Respiratory Health Association, Chicago
Year of the dictator
What a year for dictators! One in Syria flees for his life. Another in Russia threatens to set off World War III. And here at home, yet another prepares to be inaugurated. Who’s next?
Dan McGuire, Bensenville
Working as a family for a better future
The holidays are a good time for families to be grateful for what we have in common. Sitting around a plentiful spread of food, it is easy to forgive and focus on being thankful for what we have. But what if there is not enough food, or no table, or not even a roof over your head?
We can work together as a family to help those experiencing poverty, by volunteering at the food bank, making donations to charity, and calling on those who represent us in Congress to pass needed legislation. The expanded child tax credit needs to be renewed; it cut child poverty by nearly half. The SNAP program needs to be strengthened, not cut, since it is our number one tool against hunger. Affordable housing needs to be funded. Lawmakers should pass these and other ladders out of poverty.
Millions of Americans will be grateful, we strengthen our democracy in the process, while creating a better future for all.
Willie Dickerson, Snohomish, Washington
