Fossil Free Illinois will lead a “March For Our Climate” on campus Friday from noon to 1 p.m., demanding the University divest from fossil fuel investments and redirect funds into sustainable alternatives.
The march will begin at the Alma Mater, continue along the Main Quad and conclude with a rally north of Foellinger Auditorium, according to a press release by the group.
Student speakers from Students for Environmental Concerns, Graduate Employees’ Organization, Illini Democrats, Amnesty International, Students for Justice in Palestine and The Young Democratic Socialists of America will join the event.
Fossil Free Illinois claimed the University currently holds about $170 million in fossil fuel investments, a figure the group argues undermines its own climate pledges. It points to the 2020 Illinois Climate Action Plan, signed by former Chancellor Robert Jones, which committed to fully divest from fossil fuel companies by fiscal year 2025.
“Our research indicates that shifting these investments into ex-energy funds leads to higher year-over-year returns compared to their fossil fuel counterparts,” Fossil Free Illinois wrote in its announcement.
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University officials have disputed the student group’s figures. In February, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing Robin Kaler told Illinois Public Media the UI System currently holds $13 million in fossil fuel companies via bonds, not equity ownership. Kaler said this was a decrease from 2019 and 0.27% of the University’s total assets.
Organizers stated their single demand: listen to students. They cited a campus-wide student referendum from this spring, when 72.94% of student voters, or 3,178 voters, were in favor of divestment.
“If the administration isn’t listening to students, then who are they listening to?” the press release read.
In September 2024, Fossil Free Illinois organized a similar rally calling on the University to divest.
“Demanding a voice in the administration’s investment decisions regarding the use of our tuition shouldn’t be controversial,” the press release read. “So until we have an adequate say in these conversations, these protests will continue.”
