Today’s number: $1.6 billion
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I kinda get a kick out it when CapitolFax.com advertisers pummel each other…
A plan to financially reward Exelon Corp. for producing no-carbon energy and potentially save three Illinois nuclear plants from closure would cost ratepayers $1.6 billion over five years and strain budgets for financially strapped businesses and municipal governments, a study released Tuesday found. […]
Consumers would have to pony up more for electric bills and face higher tax bills from local governments absorbing higher costs, BEST Coalition Director Dave Lundy, accompanied by representatives of AARP, told a state Capitol news conference. […]
Exelon wants its Illinois distributors ComEd and Ameren to buy clean-energy “credits”— subsidies — as an incentive similar to perks granted to solar and wind power and other clean-energy producers. Without the help, Exelon says it might have to close nuclear plants in Byron, the Quad Cities and Clinton. […]
Exelon spokesman Paul Elsberg said the company hadn’t reviewed the study, but pointed to a state-commissioned review issued in January that determined if the three nuclear plants closed, it would cost Illinois up to $1.8 billion a year in economic activity, 8,000 jobs, and more than $1 billion in adverse economic and environmental costs, higher energy prices and new transmission lines. A decision to close the plants would dwarf the cost of the incentive, Elsberg said.
* Tribune…
Chicago Public Schools would pay nearly $7 million more, while the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District would see another $8.3 million on its electricity bills over the 5-1/2 years the proposed measure would be in force, the study said. […]
Employing usage data from a 2012 Exelon-funded study in opposition to a proposed coal gasification power plant downstate, Kestler applied the potential impact of the low-carbon legislation on a number of governmental agencies and municipalities over the lifetime of the measure.
Electric bills would go up $3.3 million for Cook County, $6.8 million for the state of Illinois and $5.4 million for the CTA, the study showed.
“These are huge dollar figures at a time when every single entity of government is struggling just to balance its books now,” Lundy said.
Chicago-based Exelon had a net income of $1.62 billion on revenue of $27.4 billion last year. That is down from a net income of $1.72 billion in 2013.
…Adding… From a press release…
Today hundreds of Illinoisans rallied for clean energy and climate action at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. The citizens were joined at the rally by many legislators who are co-sponsoring the bipartisan Illinois Clean Jobs Bill (HB 2607/SB1485).
Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the Clean Power Plan, giving states the opportunity to create plans to cut carbon pollution and grow clean energy jobs. With energy policy taking center stage this year in the General Assembly, the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill has emerged as the only bill that can protect the consumers and the environment while creating an estimated 32,000 jobs annually.
“The Illinois Clean Jobs bill has the most grassroots and legislative support of any energy-related bill pending in the General Assembly this year,” said State Senator Don Harmon. “And the news for consumers and clean energy keeps getting better: the state’s leading watchdog for utility customers - Citizen’s Utility Board - found that the Illinois Clean Jobs bill will save people a total $1.6 billion by 2030.”
The Illinois Clean Jobs Bill will strengthen policies to ramp up renewable energy like wind and solar to 35 percent by 2030 and cut energy use through efficiency by 20 percent by 2025. These efforts will save consumers money while bringing clean energy investment to new communities to strengthen local tax bases and create family-sustaining jobs.
“When we talk about power, it’s more than solar power or wind power,” said Pastor Booker Vance of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church and Faith in Place. “It’s about empowering people and empowering families. That’s why we must raise our voices not simply today—but every single day until the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill becomes law.”
I support the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill because I see it as an unprecedented opportunity to address the needs of the Illinois economy, a top priority for the people I represent in Central Illinois,” said State Senator Dave Koehler. “The Illinois Clean Jobs Bill also benefits the environment and the legacy we pass down to our children and grandchildren.”
Last week, two leading organizations - Citizens Utility Board and Union of Concerned Scientists - independently concluded that the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill would save customers billions of dollars, in stark contrast to two other pieces of energy-related legislation now pending in Springfield. As the state’s leading utility watchdog said this week, the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill is the only piece of legislation that would lead to customer savings.
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It’s just a bill…
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A bill mandating racial impact statements be attached to proposed criminal offense legislation passed the Senate unanimously today…
Provides that every bill which creates a new criminal offense for which a sentence to the Department of Corrections may be imposed; or which enhances any class or category of offense to a higher grade or penalty for which a sentence to the Department of Corrections is authorized; or which requires a mandatory commitment to the Department of Corrections, shall have prepared for it prior to second reading in the house of introduction a brief explanatory statement or note which shall include a reliable estimate of the probable impact of such bill upon (in addition to the overall resident population of the Department of Corrections and the probable impact which such bill will have upon the Department’s annual budget currently required):
(i) the number of criminal cases per year the bill will affect;
(ii) the members of racial minority groups by ethnicity; and
(iii) any other matter the Department considers appropriate.
Makes a similar change regarding a bill that
(i) creates a new criminal offense for which a commitment to a juvenile detention facility, sentence of probation, intermediate sanctions, or community service may be imposed or
(ii) enhances any class or category of offense to any grade or penalty for which adjudication, commitment, or disposition by a circuit court to the custody of a Probation and Court Services Department may result.
Requires the Director of the Department of Corrections or the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to prepare and file the note (currently, upon request of the sponsor of the bill). Makes other changes.
It now moves to the House.
* SJ-R…
Baby crib bumpers were at the center of heated debate in the General Assembly on Tuesday as the House passed a measure banning them.
Rep. Emily McCasey, D-Lockport, introduced House Bill 3761 banning the production and sale of baby crib bumpers – padding for the inside of cribs. It allows for mesh crib liners in lieu of the padding. McCasey’s proposal received stiff opposition, especially from fellow Democratic Rep. Rita Mayfield of Waukegan.
The bill ultimately passed by a 63-48 vote.
McCasey said the bill is designed to battle Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. She said she’s been working with medical experts for years to try and get the bumpers banned.
Go read the rest for an entertaining smack-down contest.
* Progress Illinois…
Last week, the Illinois House unanimously passed a resolution directing the state’s Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of state funds provided to the Chicago-based Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, or KOCO.
The resolution, HR 324, passed through the full House on April 17 by a 105-0 vote. It calls on Illinois Auditor General William Holland’s office to commence a performance audit of state dollars given to KOCO “under contracts or grant agreements” in fiscal years 2010 through 2015 for various purposes, including after school youth programming.
KOCO — a South Side organization that seeks to engage and assist low-income and working families in the Kenwood, Oakland and adjacent neighborhoods in Chicago — received $1.3 million in state funding since fiscal year 2010 and was a “recipient of funds from the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative and Illinois Violence Prevention Authority,” reads the resolution, introduced by State Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley). The resolution does not specify the amount of money KOCO allegedly received as part of the state’s now-defunct anti-violence program operated under former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, KOCO’s Executive Director Jawanza Malone said his group was blindsighted by the resolution, co-sponsored by state Reps. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) and Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago).
Rep. Mitchell ran against the former KOCO executive director last spring and she plans to run against him again next year.
This isn’t just a bill, it’s a political knee-capping.
…Adding… From a press release…
The Illinois House today approved a measure State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) sponsored to put the brakes on red light camera systems in Illinois.
The legislation, House Bill 173, prohibits non-home rule communities from enacting or continuing to enforce local red light camera ordinances starting on 1/1/17. The House approved HB 173 79-26.
“There is growing evidence that red light cameras actually do more harm than good,” said Rep. McSweeney. “For many communities, red light cameras have become more about revenue than about keeping people safe.”
HB 173 is being sponsored in the Senate by Senator Duffy (R-Lake Barrington).
As you’ll recall, Sen. Duffy is no stranger to red light cams.
* Related…
* VIDEO: State Rep. Mark Batinick Gives Reasons Why HB 2542 is Wrong
* Fed Up with Jet Noise? Call Your State Representative, Group Urges
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* AP…
Gov. Bruce Rauner says public school teachers who aren’t union members shouldn’t have to pay union fees - the same policy he’s tried to enforce among state government workers.
Rauner said Wednesday that teachers are not covered by his executive order lifting the state requirement that non-union members pay so-called “fair share” fees. The fees are intended to cover union activities that benefit all employees.
Rauner said the policy “should apply to teachers” but “we’ll deal with that later.” He declined to elaborate at an event sponsored by the Citizens Club of Springfield.
Discuss.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The governor’s entire quote…
“Most AFSCME members, and I love them dearly, and I’ve had many of them come up to me and say, ‘Keep fighting, Bruce, on the forced-union-dues collection issue. And I’ve had teachers come up to me from around the state, ‘Hey, can your executive order on forced union dues apply to teachers?’ and I say, ‘No, it doesn’t, it just applies to government workers with me.’ I believe it should apply to teachers and we’ll deal with that later.”
A true believer, people.
* From the IFT’s Aviva Bowen…
The Governor either has no understanding or no regard for the law, and I’m not sure which is worse. This is just another reckless attempt to take away teachers’ voice and ability to advocate for their students – and it does nothing to address our state’s real challenges.
*** UPDATE 2 *** IEA President Cinda Klickna…
It is interesting that the only teacher voices the governor seems to hear are those of the tiny number who don’t wish to pay their fair share, while he ignores the overwhelming majority of teachers and education support professionals who choose to belong to a union. They work, through their union, for high quality teaching and learning conditions.
Public education is crucial to Illinois’ future. Our 130 thousand members reject the governor’s attacks on the middle class and will continue to advocate, through their association, for high quality teaching and learning conditions, because that’s what our students need and that is what will get Illinois back on track.
Regarding the governor’s comments on collective bargaining and local teacher activism, we’re surprised that Gov. Rauner would come out against local control of public schools.
Governor Rauner is suggesting that teachers should be seen but not heard — that teachers should do as they’re told and that their professional expertise should be ignored.
We continue to believe that teachers have a better understanding of schools and students than politicians. Teachers are the experts on what will work in our schools and what will help children learn. It might displease the governor, but we won’t be silent.
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* From the governor’s office…
Good morning, Rich:
Newton and Camp Point both passed resolutions last night in support of Turnaround Agenda.
Best,
ck
Newton: Pop. 2,815
Camp Point: Pop. 1,126
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the governor’s office…
Another update -
Wayne also passed agenda.
ck
Wayne: Pop. 2,449
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Pontiac Daily Leader…
Despite a change of venue designed to accommodate for last Thursday’s massive union turnout, the Livingston County Board has made the decision to drop a discussion of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda and the controversial right-to-work topic that it encompasses for this Thursday’s resumption of the postponed meeting.
The meeting last Thursday was suspended, moved, and ultimately postponed until a suitable location could be used. This was due to the insufficient ability to house the excess of 300 members of various union employees who showed up to voice their concerns with right-to-work.
*** UPDATE 3 *** From the governor’s office…
Hi, Rich:
Third Lake also passed resolution. It’s attached.
ck
Pop. 1,193.
As a commenter said, we sure are getting quite the Illinois geography lesson these days.
[ *** End Of Updates *** ]
* From a union official…
Rauner lost in Pecatonica, Wauconda, Campton Hills and Vernon hills tonight.
* And check out what happened in Naperville, where the resolution didn’t even include the governor’s “right to work” and collective bargaining language…
Ouch.
* But Dixon may have created this week’s biggest news so far. The city council approved a resolution blasting Rauner’s anti-union resolution, which included language like this…
WHEREAS, the real agenda of the Right to Work concept is to undercut wages and benefits for hard working Illinoisans […]
WHEREAS, Governor Rauner wants to allow local governments to opt out of paying the Prevailing Wage on public works projects, but since the Prevailing Wage is set locally and actually boosts local job growth and since the prevailing wage discourages out-of-state companies from undercutting the local wage and benefit base the Prevailing Wage is itself a strong economic development tool […]
WHEREAS, we do not want to ignore these laws and make public employees second class citizens when it comes to bargaining their workplace rights;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Dixon does not endorse or agree with the establishment of proposed “Right-to-Work” zones in the State of Illinois, nor does it support the erosion of public employee bargaining rights and plan to follow the laws as they exist.
Read it all here.
Whew.
* On to Mt. Zion…
The Mount Zion Board of Trustees quashed a resolution in favor of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s “Turnaround Agenda” on Monday, causing a packed audience to erupt in applause.
The resolution had been introduced and immediately tabled at the board’s previous meeting April 6 without discussion. […]
Though initially included for discussion and approval for Monday’s meeting, the agenda was amended Sunday with the removal of the resolution.
“The resolution was taken off because we did not feel there was support for it,” Mayor Don Robinson said.
* Wauconda…
Labor union members and their supporters filled the Wauconda High School cafeteria Tuesday night to oppose a controversial proposal by Gov. Bruce Rauner that would weaken labor unions in the state.
And when they were done, the village board members criticized the new governor’s plan, too, saying the issue needs to be resolved in the state Capitol, not village boardrooms. […]
Tuesday’s Wauconda village board meeting was moved to the high school because the crowd that showed up at village hall for the meeting was too large to fit in the boardroom.
Of the 100 or so people in the audience at the school cafeteria, about a dozen spoke about Rauner’s plan and the board’s proposed supportive resolution.
All of them criticized the plan, saying it would lower wages and hurt middle-class families. […]
When it came time for the trustees to speak, they were similarly critical of the resolution.
* Related…
* Voters should decide on a local right-to-work law, Effingham County Board says: The Effingham County Board passed a non-binding resolution on Monday supporting the “local empowerment” aspect of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s economic agenda. The seven Republicans on the board supported the resolution, while the two Democrats opposed it. Before the vote, the board heard opposition from union leaders such as Jason McKinley of the Illinois Building Trades Council.
* Charleston Representatives, community members speak out about resolution: John Kraft, a graduate student of political science and a member of the Edgar County Watchdogs, said he supported the resolution; however, he thought the way the council passed it was problematic. “I previously asked the council and the mayor to place it in a new agenda and vote on it again after complying with the Illinois Open Meetings Act,” Kraft said.
* Residents address Charleston City Council on right-to-work resolution
* Campton village trustees delay decision on prevailing wage act - Will discuss the issue again in May
* Union Files Lawsuit Alleging Meeting Violation By McHenry County Board: A labor union claims the McHenry County Board violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act when at least eight of its members gathered at a private discussion with Gov. Bruce Rauner at the Woodstock Opera House April 8. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 filed a lawsuit against the County Board April 17, accusing board members of failing to comply with a state law that requires the public be allowed to attend government meetings. “It appears to be a very, very clear violation of the Open Meetings Act,” said Edward Maher, a spokesman for Countryside-based IUOE Local 150.
* McLean County suggests mandates Illinois could eliminate: The county has submitted recommendations, such as tightening eligibility requirements for the state municipal retirement fund , reducing the number of property tax exemptions, eliminating juror pay, no longer publishing legal notices and pulling back on expanded voter access.
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