A high power line fell on Main Street in Crystal Lake next to Best Buy. Shouldn’t upkeep of such high power lines be the responsibility of the company given a monopoly to deliver electricity?
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 is that I was told on a train ride to Springfield in the 1970’s that by Samuel Insull‘s secretary that he got the Illinois General Assembly to create the agency because he was tired of having to pay off legislators. Insull figured, it seems, that buying off a majority of the ICC would be cheaper (probably easier, too).
Now that the Commerce Commission is not acting like the electric industries handmaiden, electric utilities seem to have reverted to the original way of doing business.
And, as far as the money being needed to upgrade the electric grid, I’d ask, “Wasn’t keeping the infrastructure in top shape part of the deal with Com Ed and Ameren were given their monopolies?”
State Representatives voting for the Senate Bill 9 who represent part of McHenry County are Republicans
- David McSweeney
- Mike Tryon
- Barb Wheeler
- Tim Schmitz
Democrat Jack Franks voted, “No.”
In the State Senate those voting in favor were
- Pam Althoff
- Karen McConnaughay
Dan Duffy voted against the bill.
Those who voted to allow Commonwealth Edison to raise electric rates in the Illinois Senate.
Com Ed/Ameren make too many campaign contributions to have this voted against.
I have no clue why Tryon and Althoff vote “Y” for this.
I know of several individuals who called and voiced their opinions against this.
It’s a shame.
We vote these people into office based on their word that they will work for the people, the citizens – and instead they suck up to big business anyway.
One can’t trust anyone nowadays I guess.
God bless you Dan Duffy!