McHenry County Blog

A notice from the Huntley Area Tea Party:

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I wonder if any of the legislators who voted for the Com Ed/Ameren rate hike bill (Com Ed refer to it as the “Smart Grid” bill) will attend the meeting.  Here’s the House Roll Call.  Here’s the Senate Roll Call.

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 environment and restore common sense, efficient policies to state government.

Spending is out of control and the budget is completely out of alignment. In January, I voted against a 67% tax increase which unfortunately passed. Our state deficit continued to grow even after passing the largest tax hike in state history. Clearly, we can not tax our way out of this mess. The answer is not increased taxation, but effective, efficient government.

I have consistently opposed additional borrowing in order to meet Illinois’ financial obligations.

Unfortunately a budget passed which increased spending and once again deferred millions in Medicaid payments.

I advocated for a smaller, smarter government in order to balance our budget and restore Illinois’ fiscal health.

In November, I voted against a bill that would increase your monthly utility bills to fund so-called “smart grid” upgrades to our power infrastructure. I do not believe the state should further burden the people of Illinois in the middle of a deep recession.

This year I also continued to fight corruption in state government and spoke out against “pay-to-play” political appointments.

It is an honor to serve the 26th district in the Illinois State Senate. Your concerns and questions are very important to me. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your feedback so that I may better serve you!

Very truly yours,

Dan Duffy
State Senator 26th District

After the letter came the following press release:

Duffy Says Budget Biggest Issue in Illinois

Senator Duffy has argued for spending restraint insisting that the state must live within its means. Duffy voted against the 67% tax increase in January 2011, and opposed additional borrowing and increased spending. Legislators must identify real solutions that deliver services more efficiently.

During the 2011 spring legislative session, Senator Duffy and others offered a detailed “reality check” plan that would eliminate the deficit, phase out the tax increase, and revitalize the state’s economy by supporting Illinois’ job creators. The “reality check” plan outlined a menu of specific efficiency measures that, if implemented, would put Illinois back on the road to a balanced budget – without sacrificing essential services.

Some of the specific suggestions included combining the Treasurer and Comptroller’s offices to save as much as $12 million dollars. The plan also included meaningful public employee pension reforms which would save the state as much as $1.35 billion immediately, with additional savings in the years ahead.

Government pensions are more generous than those received by private sector tax payers. Some government pensions offer retirement at age 55, require minimum pension contributions, and have free health care. Many pension recipients receive more than $100,000 per year in benefits. This is not fair to the hard working citizens of Illinois whose tax dollars are paying for these overly generous benefits.

Illinois families have learned that in lean times they must spend less to keep their household budgets balanced. It is time the state learns to do the same!

Duffy Opposes Utility Rate Hike

During the fall veto session the legislature voted to override a gubernatorial veto on Senate Bill 1652, a piece of legislation that uses rate hikes to fund upgrades to the state’s power infrastructure.

In debate, Duffy raised concerns that campaign contributions had influenced votes on the legislation. Campaign finance watchdogs estimated that ComEd and Ameren spent in excess of $930,000 in campaign contributions to legislators while discussing the “smart grid” legislation. Duffy also opposed the clause in the legislation which guaranteed profits to the power companies for decades to come.

Senator Duffy noted that it may not be the appropriate time to be moving forward with the new “smart grid” legislation. In theory meters may provide better information about how to cut energy use and save money, but the meters are expensive. The cost will be passed on to consumers through rate hikes. Additionally, if consumers want to see the full benefits of the upgrades, they must add complicated in-home displays and integrate home-area networks which will take data from the meters to control appliances and other pieces of equipment.

Duffy voted against the legislation over concerns that it placed an unfair financial burden on Illinois citizens to fund the upgrades.

Duffy Fights “Quinn pro quos”

This year, Senator Duffy continued his crusade against what he calls “Quinn pro quos,” or political appointments to elected officials, their top donors, and their family members.

In the fall veto session Duffy spoke out against the $117,000 a year appointment of Jennifer Burke, daughter of powerful Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, to the Illinois Pollution Control Board. Duffy said,

“This is typical pay-to-play politics—the same bad policy of appointing politically connected people to high priced board positions. How would the typical person in Illinois even know how to apply for a position like this?”

In February Duffy introduced Senate Bill 1935, a measure that would prohibit the spouse, child, or spouse of a child of a state official, from being appointed to any state board or commission.

Duffy Continues Fight Against Red Light Cameras

Senator Duffy believes we should do everything possible to keep our roads safe. However he feels red light cameras are all about revenue, not about safety.

The US Department of Transportation statistics show that an average motorist could drive a billion miles – the distance from Earth to Jupiter and back – before being involved in and accident that resulted from turning right on red. [emphasis provided]

In March, Duffy introduced Senate Bill 26, a measure that prohibits a county or municipality from using a red light camera to issue violations to drivers who enter an intersection to turn right on red, where it is a legal maneuver.

Duffy debated that if the issue was truly about safety, municipalities should remove cameras from right turn lanes and install “no turn on red” signs at troubled intersections.

In the fall veto session, Duffy voted against using red light cameras as “speed” cameras.

Senate Bill 965 allows a special feature on the red light cameras to be switched “on”, which in turn allows the cameras to monitor the speed of automobiles as they pass by.

The cameras will then issue tickets to cars driving over the speed limit.

The ticket goes to the car, not to the driver. In debate on the Senate Floor the Senator spoke out against the legislation saying,

“I’m against this big brother piece of legislation.”

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 long piece by retired Circuit Court Judge John Donald O’Shea of Moline.  I thought I would share his letter to the editor.

Illinois Senate: When does a contribution become a bribe

Posted Online: Nov. 10, 2011, 7:54 am

I am neither for nor against Smart Grid.

I write because I am appalled by reports that two utility companies, Ameren and Commonwealth Edison, and their friends generously poured money into the campaign coffers of members of the Illinois Legislature at a time when the utilities were lobbying for passage of that legislation.

These allegations show that the Illinois State Senate is a sewer.

When a judge takes “gifts” from a litigant whose case is pending before the judge, we call it a “bribe,” and the judge goes to jail.

But when a legislator takes thousands of dollars from somebody who wants the legislator to vote a certain way on a bill, the money paid is characterized as a “campaign donation.”

The Better Government Association (BGA) states that on May 31, the Illinois Senate passed a controversial bill to raise energy rates and revamp the grid.

In the 18 months ending June 30, Ameren and ComEd interests gave more than $400,000 to all but six members of the Senate. And in the three months after Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto, they gave more than $170,000 to state legislators and party organizations, according to Illinois State Board of Elections records.

Since Jan. 1, 2010, members of the General Assembly and their political organizations received more than $1.5 million from the utilities. Last week 98 legislators voted to override the veto, 71 voted against and eight voted present. All told, 177 legislators shared in the $1.5 million utility “contribution.” You do the math.

The McHenry County Blog obtained this information from a spreadsheet prepared by Campaign for Political Reform. Donations are for the 2011 calendar year through Oct. 18th. ComEd and Ameren got their rate hike and veto override on SB 1652 on Oct. 19. The Blog notes that there is a possibility of additional, last-minute contributions.

The blog lists the 2011 utility contributions to the 39 Senators who voted for Smart Grid.

It also notes a contribution to the Senate Democratic Victory Fund — $89,250 –and to the Republican State Campaign Committee — $42,650. The Democratic Party Senate campaign fund is controlled by Senate President John Cullerton. The Republican Party Senate campaign fund is run by Minority Leader Christine Radogno.

Here’s the McHenry County Blog’s list:

• Radogno $38,000
• Kirk Dillard $19,000
• Mike Jacobs $16,750
• Dale Righter $13,930
• Antonio Munoz $13,850
• Don Harmon $11,500
• Toi Hutchinson $11,000
• James Meeks $11,000
• Bill Brady $9,500
• Annazette Collins $8,250
• A. J. Wilhemi $7,700
• Mattie Hunter $7,000
• Carole Pankau $6,350
• John Millner $6,050
• Donne Trotter $6,000
• John Jones $5,750
• Kimberly Lightford $5,500
• William Haine $5.450
• Terry Link $5,000
• Michael Noland $4,750
• Matt Murphy $4,250
• Pam Althoff $4,000
• David Leuchtefeld $3,358
• Kwame Raoul $2,500
• Sue Rezen $2,000
• Maggie Crotty $1,500
• John Cullerton $1,500
• Linda Holmes $1,250
• Iris Martinez $1,250
• Emil Jones, III $1,000
• William Delgado $1,000
• David Koehler $750
• Martin Sandoval $500

Did ComEd and Ameren pass out the money to ensure an ethical government? Do they honestly believe senators who pocketed the money were so honest and able that if they weren’t reelected it would be a disaster for the people of Illinois?

Did they give money in the hope that the senators would consider only the merits of SB1652 — free of all other considerations?

Did they give the money to induce them to vote against the bill?

Did they give the money to influence them to vote in favor of the bill, and subsequently to vote to override the governor’s veto? Or did they simply give the money because these were the best senators money could buy?

And how generous does the contribution have to be to buy a legislator’s vote?

Every senator, of course, would deny he was influenced by campaign donations. But what is the appearance? Does it look like an attempted bribe? Does it smell like a one?

If any judge in Illinois took even a $1,000 campaign contribution from any litigant before his court, he would properly be removed from the bench and indicted for corruption. Why should the rule be different for senators or representatives?

Back in the 1990s I wrote lyrics for a song for a Gridiron show, to the tune of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes.” It was in an era of Illinois judges being arrested for corruption; the days of “Operation Greylord.” My lyrics:

“When a judges take’s bribes that’s shocking.

Such graft sets the courthouse rocking,

to jail he goes, as “Greylord” shows.

“But when the cash is thrown at Congress

All rules are trashed and largess is apropos.

As everyone knows.

“Though “bribes” are still crimes these days

there are “gentler” ways

To describe outlays

that the lobbyist pays

Inside the beltways

To influence the ways

That his client’s bill should go.

“When “bribes” become “campaign donations”

These artful equivocations augment cash flows.

Everything goes!”

Until the voters clean up this cesspool in Springfield, they deserve whatever the Legislature chooses to do to them. Does anyone out there care?

John Donald O’Shea of Moline is a retired circuit court judge.

Here is State Senator Pam Althoff’s explanation of her vote on the override of Governor Pat Quinn’s veto of the bill sought by Commonwealth Edison and Ameren. It is in the form of a letter to constituents contacting her about the issue.

Thank you for contacting me about the electric grid modernization utility legislation or SB1652.

I understand your frustration and/or anger regarding my support for this legislation.

I, like you, am outraged that area residents were without power for, in many cases, four and five days after the last windstorm.

I believe more than ever that Illinois’ 20th Century electric grid is in serious decline and demands modernization.

I believe that the Illinois Commerce Commission who is the regulatory oversight for utilities in the state of Illinois has failed, for years, to adequately address this infrastructure need with our electric companies to the detriment of Illinois residents.

I believe after much revision SB1652 and the subsequent trailer bill, HB3036, address these concerns.

Let me also state that there has been much misinformation, as well as outdated information, about this legislation which has resulted in anger, anguish and mistrust.

I hope this letter will allay some of your fears and mistrust.

I will also always remain available to discuss this information further or to answer any questions you may have.

Multiple major legislative revisions occurred before SB1652 was voted on.

The bill only applies to electric utilities if they have met hard target documented goals and employ more than 2500 NEW workers.

These companies must minimally invest $2.6 billion in the new grid system and meet statutory performance goals or face stiff financial and regulatory penalties.

These companies must still go through a multi-month long formula rate hearing in front of the Illinois Commerce Commission; which retains regulatory oversight and enforcement of the performance standards to protect consumers.

This is the same process utilities use to currently obtain rate increase approval.

Any and all rate changes shall be CAPPED and the entire program expires in 2017.

HB3036 also added additional Illinois Commerce Commission performance measures (identified in the Governor’s veto) as well as lowered (below historically granted ICC rates) the permitted rate of investment return (profits) for these utility companies.

In addition the bill requires the shareholders of the company pay $60 million to fund low-income families, seniors, disabled veterans and others that may be affected by utility disconnections.

The bill will ultimately permit homeowners and businesses the ability to more effectively manage their energy use and save money.

The new technology will also provide a foundation for economic development in our region and enable businesses to develop new green technology and provide better more efficient energy management tools.

The legislation was soundly supported by the Illinois Business Roundtable a volunteer organization of 63 chief executive officers of Illinois’ leading businesses as well as all the leading environmental organizations…that is a very diverse group of special interest entities…all advocating passage of SB1652 on behalf of the Illinois consumer.

Senate bill 1652, the legislation that Commonwealth Edison and Downstate electric utility Ameeen promotes as a “Smart Grid” bill, passed the Illinois House this Memorial Day 67-47-1.

It previously passed the Senate, as you can see from the Senate roll call below:

Both state senators representing McHenry Count–Pam Althoff and Dan Duffy–voted for the legislation.

In the Illinois House, the vote was split on party lines.

Democrat Jack Franks opposed the bill, while Republicans Mark Beaubien and Mike Tryon voted, “Yes.”

The Senate still has to vote on House amendments before the bill can be sent to the Governor’s desk.

For those wishing to weigh in on the issue, the state switchboard number is 217-782-2000.