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

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

Nasty Trees Take Out Coventry Power Near McHenry Avenue

Got this from the Crystal Lake Police: “A power outage has occurred in the area of Dartmoor and McHenry due to downed trees. “Comed is on scene working to address the problem as we speak. They estimate power restoration at … 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

Electric Aggregation Consortium Agrees on 46% Reduction from Current Rates

A press release from the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium and the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium: Direct Energy Offers Fixed Electricity Price to Five Communities in the Northern Illinois Governmental Electric Aggregation Consortium Illinois (April 30-, 2012) … 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

Questions and Answers about Electric Aggregation Referendums

Lots of places in Illinois are having electric aggregation referendums on March 20th. They all will pass, because legislators voted to allow Commonwealth Edison and Ameren to raise electric rates and voters will rightly see that voting in favor of … 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

Tryon Recaps Veto Session

An email from State Rep. Mike Tryon: Our second week of veto session has ended, and while typically this would signify the end of the fall veto session, legislators are being called back to Springfield on Tuesday, November 29 to … Continue reading