Though the industrial sector has historically been deemed hard to abate, many of Illinois’s industrial emissions — about 8.7 million tons (Mt) of CO2 — come from burning natural gas in low- and medium-temperature ranges for which low-emissions technologies like industrial heat pumps, electric boilers, and thermal energy storage have already proven viable. As these next-generation technologies continue down the cost curve and improve in performance, this report “Illinois Clean Manufacturing Roadmap” published by RMI provides a plan for Illinois policymakers to ease the transition to clean manufacturing and production methods. Manufacturing is a driving force of the Illinois economy. Across the state, approximately 580,000 Illinoisans are employed in manufacturing, specializing in products ranging from food and beverage to biofuel inputs.
The state was the nation’s fifth largest exporter of goods in 2024, and goods exports accounted for 7.4% of state gross domestic product in the same year. In addition to advancing the economy, the industrial sector is a significant source of climate pollution in the state, comprising 18% of Illinois’s total emissions (or 45 Mt of CO2 e). Modern manufacturing also benefits public health, with new analysis estimating that replacing boilers with low-emissions equipment could help avoid 1.7 million asthma attacks by 2050 in Illinois alone. To meet the climate and health targets mandated by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act while maintaining Illinois’s manufacturing might, the state must work to reduce emissions from its industrial sector in a way that allows businesses to stay regionally and globally competitive. The near-,mid-, and long-term actions contained within this roadmap are designed to achieve these dual ambitions.
Access the report here