Com Ed Seeking Still Another Rate Increase

From Crain’s Chicago Business: With smart grid completed, ComEd budgets as if it never happened A new four-year capital plan shows ComEd spending even more per year than it did on its smart grid. That means higher rates, but this … Continue reading

Recent Financial Support for Steve Reick’s Campaign

Here’s what has showed up since the House Republican Organization transferred $100,000 to GOP State Rep. candidate Steve Reick’s campaign $11,693.61 – House Republican Organization for printing $11,693.61 – House Republican Organization for printing $2,000 – Citizens for [State Rep. … Continue reading

Barb Wheeler Gets $1,000 from Electric Untility Ameren

There’s a game of disinformation that the two electric utilities play in Illinois. Com Ed makes contributions to legislators in southern Illinois and Ameren gives money to state representatives and senators in northern Illinois. I guess these power companies (pun … Continue reading

Quinn Vetoes Com Ed Rate Increase Bill, Veto Override Attempt Likely, Considering Lopsided Roll Calls

The two roll calls on the Com Ed/Ameren electric rate hike bill have appeared here before. Some might wonder why I feel so strongly about this legislation that will ad $6 a month to most homeowners’ electric bills. The reason … Continue reading

“Chainsaw Jack” Franks Blames Constituents for Introducing his Com Ed Clear Cut Bill

Not only was State Rep. Jack Franks spanked by the Chicago Tribune Sunday, but Chuck Sweeney, the political columnist for the Rockford Register-Star took negative notice of his Com Ed tree removal legislation, House Bill 3884. After hostile reaction from … Continue reading

Sunday Chicago Tribune Hacks at “Chainsaw Jack” Franks’ Tree Killing Bill

Who could have known that the Chicago Tribune would take on “Chainsaw Jack” Franks and use “Illinois Chain Saw Massacre” in it’s editorial sub-headline? But there it was. A whole editorial aimed at the overreach, no, that’s too mild a … Continue reading

Illinois House Chainsaws Jack Franks

It hasn’t been a good week for Democratic Party State Representative Jack Franks. “Chainsaw Jack” got lots of blowback from his venture into playing gofer for the electric utilities of Illinois. He quickly figured out he did not have the … Continue reading

“Chainsaw Jack” Franks Can’t Power Tree Massacre Bill Out of Public Utilities Committee…Yet

Apparently “Chainsaw Jack” Franks didn’t have enough lubricating oil to get his bill (House Bill 3884, email addresses of Public Utility Committee members included in linked story) to allow Commonwealth Edison and Ameren to cut any tree it wanted to … Continue reading

“Chainsaw Jack” Franks’ Com Ed Tree Cutting Bill in Committee at Three, Email Addresses of House Public Utilities Committee Members

State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) is using up a lot of political capital carrying Commonwealth Edison’s chainsaw. He has introduced legislation (House Bill 3884) which will allow electric utilities to chop down any tree within 20 feet of a power … Continue reading

Fellow Democrat Finds “Chainsaw Jack” Franks Got $1,000 from Com Ed Ally Ameren

Just in case you haven’t read the latest piece from “Tree Hugging” McHenry County Blogster Cal Skinner, you need to in order to set the stage for this follow-up article. Here’s where you can find it: Jack Franks Shows Tree … Continue reading

Huntley Tea Party to Consider “Smart Meters”

A notice from the Huntley Area Tea Party: Come to the Huntley TEA Parties’ Smart Meter Event Who: The Huntley Tea Party What: Smart Meter Awareness Meeting- What’s coming your way? When: Wednesday, February 22nd, 6:30-700 PM: signup, meet and … Continue reading

Duffy Outlines Last Year’s High(Low)lights, e.g., Electric Rate High Bill, Red Light/Speed Cameras

An email from State Senator Dan Duffy: 26th District Legislative Update Dear Friends, Today Illinois faces problems like never before. Our state is in need of strong leadership. As your representative in Springfield, I am working to promote a job-friendly … Continue reading

McHenry County Blog’s List of Electric Industry Contributions to Rate Hike Senators Makes Quad Cities Publication

I knew I was getting a lot of hits on my October 28, 2011, story about the campaign contributions given by the electric industry, but look what popped up a couple of weeks ago on Quad Cities OnLine. It’s a … Continue reading

Mike Tryon’s Electric Industry Contributions

Previously, McHenry County Blog has reported on the contributions from Commonwealth Edison, Ameren and others to State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Jack Franks. Both voted to override Governor Pat Quinn’s veto, Franks a last minute switch. State Senator … Continue reading