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…
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, July 11, 2012
State Sen. Pat McGuire voiced his approval of pulling the plug on legislative scholarships.
State Senator Pat McGuire, D-Joliet, praised the governor’s decision to sign legislation ending the controversial legislative scholarship program earlier today, according a statement released by his office. “Programs that aren’t on the up-and-up have to go," McGuire said in the statement. "Getting rid of legislative scholarships is an important step toward restoring confidence in Illinois government." McGuire, who took office earlier this year, chose not to participate in the scandal-ridden program and has vocally supported its abolition. "The State of Illinois has better ways to spend its money than on legislative scholarships," McGuire said. "We must work on making higher education affordable for everyone. We also must make sure students…
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Plainfield village trustee handily beat three GOP challengers for a chance to face Democrat Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant in the general election.
With more than 3,200 votes separating him from his next closest competitor, Plainfield Village Trustee Garrett Peck was the hands-down winner in his bid to be the Republican nominee for the newly created 49th Senate seat. Peck's 7,069 votes was just a few hundred shy of double the amount tallied by the next highest vote-getter, Shorewood Village Trustee Gary Fitzgerald, with 3,793. Will County Board member Brian Smith, of Plainfield, received 1,981 votes and Oswego Village Trustee Tony Giles, 1,333. Peck, 32, was the first of four candidates to announce his candidacy in June, and has long signaled a desire to seek a higher office beyond the Plainfield Village Board, to which he was elected in 2009. He now faces Democratic challenger …
Friday, March 9, 2012
Mark Nelson said he has no allegiance to either political party, and represents people who are tired of elected officials casting partisan votes.
A Plainfield man says he’s considering an independent bid for the 49th District Illinois Senate seat, in part because he thinks the party candidates currently running are too inclined vote along party lines. Mark A. Nelson, 39, said Friday he believes he’s like a lot of average people in being frustrated by partisan politics, and that his willingness to vote with Republicans on some issues and Democrats on others is what voters want to see their elected officials do. “These days, if you have an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ on your lapel, you vote that way,” said Nelson, who voted for Barack Obama in the last presidential election and for George W. Bush in the two elections prior to that. “I think it’s OK to disagree, to have a conversation where you …
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Plainfield village trustee said he sought the support of a lot of different groups before tossing his hat into the ring for the Republican nomination.
Plainfield Trustee Garrett Peck formally announced Friday that he will be a Republican candidate for the 49th District state Senate seat in 2012. Peck, 32, a Plainfield Village Board member since 2009, said he's been reaching out to all parts of the new district -- which includes all of Plainfield and Shorewood, parts of Oswego and Romeoville, and a very small section of Bolingbrook -- to determine the strength of his support base. "The vast majority of the precinct committeemen have endorsed me and agreed to be on my team," he said. "Overall, we've put together a serious campaign plan that shows we're very organized. We have a Hispanic outreach committee, a veterans outreach committee, a seniors outreach committee, a (parent and schools) …
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Decision predicated upon the new redistricting map proposal, which was released last week.
Plainfield Village Trustee Garrett Peck said he is considering a run for the state Senate district representing Plainfield and the surrounding area. Peck, 32, a Republican, said he is putting together an exploratory committee to be headed by former state Sen. Ed Petka, who also served in the Illinois House and as Will County state’s attorney. One key factor in his decision is whether the redistricting plan currently under consideration by the General Assembly remains as it’s now shown, Peck said. Under that map, current state Sen. Linda Holmes – a Democrat who represents the 42nd District – would see her district moved further south, he said. The proposed 49th District would include all of Plainfield as well as parts of Shorewood, …
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Illinois House joined the Senate in a passing aggressive education reform almost unanimously.
Late Thursday night, the Illinois House of Representatives passed sweeping education reform that essentially neutralizes teacher tenure as we know it. Senate Bill 007 had overwhelming support in both houses. It now heads to Governor Pat Quinn for signature. “This is the start of what I see as Illinois taking education more seriously,” said Troy Superintendent Don White. “I am thrilled.” This reform sets a new standard for how administrators evaluate teachers, White explained. State Representative Tom Cross was one of the chief co-sponsors of the House bill. Another Will County legislator, Toi Hutchinson, was a co-sponsor in the Senate. “These groundbreaking reforms will enhance classroom instruction for all our students statewide,” Cross…
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 ›