In Central Illinois, employment opportunities flourish across various sectors, including electric vehicles and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, all centered around clean energy.
In the heart of Illinois, the city of Decatur is making a significant shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. This transformation has been bolstered by the efforts of local residents like Shawn Honorable, who aspires to play a pivotal role in the solar energy sector.
Decatur was officially designated as a clean energy workforce hub under Illinois' 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The hub, based at Richland Community College, is a testament to the city's commitment to clean energy and job creation.
Recently, Shawn Honorable, a resident of Decatur, graduated with honours from a clean energy workforce training program at Richland Community College. His return to education serves as a powerful example for his family, emphasising the importance of education in shaping a brighter future.
TCCI Manufacturing, a local, family-owned factory that makes electric vehicle compressors, is a significant contributor to the success of Decatur's clean energy hub. In April 2025, TCCI Manufacturing established itself as a Clean Energy Workforce Hub, opening its Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Decatur. The company is now expanding its operations with a state-of-the-art testing facility and an on-site campus where Richland students will take classes adjacent to the manufacturing floor.
Kara Demirjian, senior vice president of TCCI Manufacturing, highlights the unique nature of Decatur's clean energy ecosystem. Unlike many other regions, Decatur is not relying solely on one company or product line, but rather, building a comprehensive clean energy industry.
Shawn Honorable's journey has not been without challenges. In 1999, he was expelled from high school due to a fistfight at a football game. He also has a criminal history, including a 2017 conviction for accepting marijuana sent through the mail. However, his involvement in the clean energy sector gives him hope for a better future.
Decatur, a city that has struggled with economic decline, high rates of gun violence, child poverty, unemployment, and incarceration, is looking to clean energy as a potential solution. With companies like Rivian, an electric truck company, located just 50 miles away, and the future of electric vehicle manufacturing leadership being built in the Midwest, Decatur is well-positioned to be a part of this burgeoning industry.
Shawn Honorable's story is part of a larger narrative. His clean energy workforce training was featured in a five-part series from the Rural News Network. The governor's intervention allowed the students involved in a controversial incident, known as the 'Decatur Seven,' to attend alternative schools.
Despite his past, Shawn Honorable is determined to make a positive impact. He plans to start a solar-powered mobile hot dog stand, which he has named 'Buns on the Run.' As Decatur continues to build its clean energy ecosystem, individuals like Shawn Honorable will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping its future.
