Saturday, February 16, 2013
The utility wants lawmakers to amend a 2011 rate-hike law to allow the utility to retroactively collect money for electricity already used.
The Illinois Senate Executive Committee unanimously approved a request by ComEd and Ameren to "clarify" a 2011 law that allowed the utilities to raise electricity rates, Illinois Public Radio reports. The clarification would allow the power companies to retroactively charge higher rates for the electricity you've already used, potentially raising up to $70 million for ComEd, according to Sun-Times Media. The 2011 law changed the formula used to determine charges. But the utilities say it didn't work as intended. They say regulators aren't letting them charge what they need. Now the companies are back, asking the legislature to pass another law, clarifying the old one. (Says) ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore: "Without it we are stalled in these…
Monday, February 11, 2013
Legislators in support of same-sex marriage have a long way to go, but the ball is rolling.
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Monday, February 11
A same-sex marriage bill may be voted on in the Illinois Senate as early as Valentine’s Day, the Chicago Tribune reports. Sen. Heather Seans, D-Chicago, sponsored the bill in last month’s lame duck session, but it took until Tuesday for it to advance past committee action in a 9-5 vote, according to the report. The bill will now go to floor process where the entire Senate will consider its passage. Should it make it through the Senate readings, it will go before the House, where the process will be repeated. If it passes the House—a big "if," according to the Tribune—it then goes up for consideration by Governor Pat Quinn. Quinn recently told the Tribune he completely supports same-sex marriage. For more, read the Chicago Tribune report.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It's unknown how the bill will fare in the Illinois House.
The Illinois Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that could allow undocumented illegal immigrants to have driver's licenses. State Senators voter overwhelmingly in favor of Senate Bill 957, which would allow immigrants to receive a temporary visitor driver's license (TVDL) upon successful completion of driver's training. The TVDL would then allow undocumented immigrants to obtain auto insurance, but do not provide a means of lawful identification for any other purpose, according to a statement issued by State Sen. Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) on Tuesday. Forty-one Senators voted in favor of the bill, while 14 voted no and one abstained. “The more tested and insured drivers there are, the safer our roads will be," McGuire said. "While …
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
A plan to shift the cost of teacher pensions from the state to local school districts became the most hotly debated topic in Springfield on Tuesday.
With the clock ticking on the current legislative session in Springfield, Illinois lawmakers are scrambling to find a solution to the state's massive shortfall in the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS). The most hotly debated topic in the Illinois General Assembly on Tuesday was a plan to gradually shift pension liabilities from the state to local school districts, universities and colleges. The proposal is part of Senate Bill 1673, a pension bill backed by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago). An Illinois House committee voted 6-3 to send the proposal to the House before Thursday's adjournment deadline, NBC Chicago reports. In a House floor speech that has since gone viral, State Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) slammed Madigan for the …
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Senator tweets link to Daily Herald blog post.
State Sen. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) today tweeted his confirmation of a Daily Herald blog post suggesting he is considering a run for the Illinois House. "No drama, just thinking things through and weighing all options," he said via his @RonSandack Twitter account at about 3:45 p.m. He included a link to the Daily Herald's Suburban Political Recount blog by Mike Riopell and Kerry Lester. The post quotes Sandack as saying a House run is "one of the things on my radar." Sandack would be pitted against Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont in the newly drawn 41st Senate district should he attempt to retain his current office, which he has held since November 2010. He was appointed to the Senate seat formerly held by DuPage…
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Illinois Senate Republican leader will seek another term to represent state's newly drawn 41st District.
Illinois Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) announced Tuesday she will seek re-election for the 41st District. She has served in the Illinois Senate since 1997, and has represented the 41st District since 2003. “I still have the same passion and commitment for serving our community as I did when I decided to make the transition from at-home mom to public servant,” Radogno said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to be an effective voice in Springfield for the families, seniors, employers and working people of the 41st District." The newly drawn 41st District includes portions of Burr Ridge, Darien, Downers Grove, Homer Glen, Indian Head Park, LaGrange, Lemont, Lisle, Naperville, Western Springs, Willowbrook and…
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The llinois Senate passed a ban on executions Tuesday with a 32-25 vote.
The Illinois State Senate voted to ban the death penalty in a 32-25 vote Tuesday afternoon. State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) voted against the measure. The ban passed the House last week and now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for approval. State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) also voted "no." According to CBS Chicago, Durkin opposes the ban because he believes recent death penalty reforms have been successful in ensuring due process in capital cases. Illinois has not carried out an execution since former Gov. George Ryan placed a moratorium on the death penalty 10 years ago. That decision came after several Death Row inmates were found to be innocent. According to the Chicago Tribune, Quinn has yet to make a public …
Tom S
9:42 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Under the Smart Grid law passed in 2011, ComEd committed to spend $2.6 billion over 10 years to modernize the electric grid in Northern Illinois. The ICC's interpretation of the law reduced funding to complete the modernization program. As a result, ComEd faced a reduction in funding of nearly $100 million per year in 2014 and beyond. Without the additional funding, ComEd stated it could not … more ›