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

Defenders Offers Electricity Savings with Community Solar Farm Participation

From the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County: Reserve your spot with THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS’ COMMUNITY SOLAR FARM PLEASE RESPOND BY JANUARY 8. “I would like to express my appreciation for the Defender’s efforts to bring community solar to our Dean … Continue reading

Catching Up on Jack Franks’ (Out of County) Contributions

Occupied by other stories toward the end of the General Election season, McHenry County Blog fell behind in reporting big ($1,000 or more) contributions to State Rep. and Countty Board Chairman candidate Jack Franks. Below is what was reported since … Continue reading

Jack Franks Still Running for State Rep. – Part 29

If I were running against Jack Franks, I would be knocking on doors of homes with Com Ed electric lines in front of them. Why? Because Jack Franks introduced House Bill 3884, a bill to allow Com Ed to chop down … Continue reading

Jack Franks Still Running for State Rep. – Part 24

Maybe we should hope that State Rep. Jack Franks will file a Statement of Withdrawal and just run for the McHenry County Board Chairmanship. (But, Franks hasn’t pulled out of the race.  Or has Jack Franks finally filed a Withdrawal … Continue reading

Electricity Bulk Buyers To Pay 7.2 Cents per Kilowatt Hour for Next Year, Up 54% from Current 4.169 Cents

A press release concerning future electricity costs for most of those in McHenry County whose municipalities are buying it in bulk (think “aggregation”), which are going up almost 54% from 4.169 to 7.2 cents per kilowatt hour: NIGEAC ELECTRIC AGGREGATION … Continue reading

Electricity Aggregation (Bulk Buying) Looking Better and Better

In 2012, there were many referendums asking whether residents wanted to have their municipalities or McHenry County to buy electricity for them, rather than take the power directly from Commonwealth Edison. The article Electric Aggregation Referendum Results Decidedly Mixed explains … Continue reading

Com Ed Electric Line Sparking on Route 14

Right near the north end of the Virginia Street TIF District (you know the place, just look for the two $16,000 stone monuments) in front of the Crystal Lake Motel, high winds have snapped an electric line maintained by Commonwealth … Continue reading

A Letter to the Crystal Lake City Council about Tonight’s Meeting

Crystal Lake resident Paul Greenlee has shared his communication with the Crystal Lake City Council about a couple of items on tonight’s meeting agenda: Mayor Shepley and Members of the City Council: It is not clear whether or not I … 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