Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Pritzker begins ramping up efforts to make Illinois a center of the electric vehicle industry

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Greg Hinz has a story about twin developments in the state’s goal of building up the electric vehicle industry here, including the supply chain. Small excerpt…

A major push has begun in Springfield to lure investment from the fast-growing electric vehicle business with significant new financial incentives and other aid.

An initial bill was filed Monday evening by state Rep. Dave Vella, a Democrat from Loves Park whose district is just west of Stellantis’ huge Belvedere plant. Tens of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs potentially are on the table. […]

The administration has talked to Ford about potentially assembling electric Explorers at its South Side plant, as well as Stellantis and other producers. It also has begun coordinating with academic researchers, some of them at Argonne National Lab, which has developed an expertise in work developing better batteries.

Officials say they don’t yet know what will be in the governor’s package. But among items being discussed are lengthening the Edge tax credit period from 10 years to 20 years and building some sort of temporary relief from local property taxes.

Vella’s bill is here. The Pritzker folks told Hinz that it isn’t quite what they’re looking at doing.

…Adding… WREX…

Exelon is starting to prepare for its future after Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the controversial energy bill into law earlier this month.

The new law will keep both Exelon’s Byron and Dresden nuclear plants open for at least another six years.

Now, Exelon announced they’re looking to fill 650 vacant positions across the state and plan on investing more than $300 million in capital projects over the next five years.

40 Comments

Rabine picks up Charlie Kirk endorsement

Wednesday, Sep 29, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Yes, it’s a very slow news day today so far. Press release…

Radio talk show host and Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk is endorsing Gary Rabine for Governor and is urging Illinois Republicans to rally around the candidate he says has the best chance of beating JB Pritzker in 2022.

“Gary Rabine has been there from the very beginning in helping me to build Turning Point into what it is today,” Kirk said. “He is a business builder and a true conservative who will stand up for the values we embrace. He is a true outsider who will help Illinois comeback from decades of poor policies that have put a once great state into decline. I care about Illinois, and I want to see my home state thrive. I am tired of seeing people leave Illinois for other states. I am supporting Gary Rabine for Governor because he is the best candidate and the one I know can beat JB Pritzker and as importantly, turn our state around. Gary is a dear friend who has always been there to help me, and I believe firmly in backing my friends. Gary will be a terrific Governor and has my total endorsement.”

…Adding… Kelli Duncan in February…

Rabine said he was an early supporter of Turning Point – a right-wing political advocacy group geared towards young people – and did fundraising work for the organization in 2013 and 2014. He currently serves as an advisory council member.

Turning Point’s mission is to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote freedom,” according to their website, but the organization has been embroiled in various controversies and its leader came under fire last spring for his invention of the term “china virus.”

“What I saw this as was an opportunity to educate on free enterprise and why it’s important to the future of our country,” Rabine said of his decision to support the organization. “I’m not represented by Charlie Kirk or anybody that represents Turning Point USA. The things they say, I’m not in control of and I don’t know how they’re looked upon at all when it comes to left, right, center or whatever.”