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House Energy & Environment Committee won’t hold ComEd hearings

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Illinois

A key Illinois House committee chairman is rejecting calls from Springfield Republicans for public legislative hearings on whether ratepayers got bilked in the ComEd bribery scandal—and, if so, what to do about it.

In a statement, House Energy Committee Chairman Ann Williams, D-Chicago, said that while she voted against the “smart grid” legislation of 2011, which raised rates and is at the core of the scandal, now is not the right time for the Legislature to respond.

“A legislative committee is not the appropriate place to investigate a criminal matter currently under the jurisdiction of the U.S. attorney’s office,” Williams said. “As was the precedent during prior corruption cases, the House Energy & Environment Committee will not hold hearings that could impede or interfere with an ongoing federal investigation.”

Williams, a member of the House Progressive Caucus, which occasionally has clashed with Speaker Mike Madigan, declined to elaborate when asked whether any interference would be minimal. ComEd already has confessed in its deferred-prosecution deal with federal prosecutors to improperly giving jobs, contracts and other financial inducements to benefit Madigan.

* Others, however, are holding hearings. For instance, this is from the ICC…

In response to the Deferred Prosecution Agreement revealed by the Department of Justice on Friday, the Illinois Commerce Commission requested Commonwealth Edison executives to appear before the Commission during its Open Meeting on July 29, 2020. Since the beginning of the new administration, the Commission has been committed to fostering a culture of transparency, accountability and inclusivity at the agency. This includes holding utility companies accountable for their compliance with ethics reforms required by a law enforcement agency. At the open meeting on July 29th, the Commission will have an opportunity to ask ComEd executives about the ethics reforms that the company says it has implemented.

The Illinois Commerce Commission is the state agency charged with reviewing all utility costs on behalf of consumers to make sure those costs are allowed under the law and reasonable. Pursuant to that duty, the Commission will take action to ensure that ComEd is not paying the $200 million criminal penalty at the expense of Illinois’ electricity consumers. Additionally, under Illinois law, utilities like ComEd cannot charge consumers for the costs of the company’s lobbyists. The Commission will continue to take steps to ensure that law is followed.

* Mayor Lightfoot…

The conduct admitted to by ComEd in the Deferred Prosecution Agreement unveiled today is deeply disturbing. The Department of Justice is appropriately holding ComEd accountable for their criminal conduct. As a significant vendor for the City of Chicago, ComEd must also be accountable to the taxpayers and residents of Chicago. As Mayor, I have made transparency, reform and accountability pillars of my administration. And, as a former federal prosecutor myself, I know the thorough and meticulous work that goes into the scale of this kind of investigation and this type of agreement.

As a City, we are committed to ensuring that all Chicagoans can access high quality, reliable services at rates that are affordable for all our residents, particularly our most vulnerable. It is also critical that consumer voices are heard in response to today’s announcement, which is why the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy will hold a public hearing on July 30th to hear directly from ComEd leadership as well as from residents. Chicagoans deserve fairness and transparency from all who are paid with taxpayer dollars, and my administration will do everything in our power to ensure that expectation is a reality.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 2:58 pm

Comments

Since Williams was a strong supporter of FEJA and is also the lead sponsor of the Exelon bailout, CEJA, I’m not surprised she doesn’t want hearings.

Comment by ABC Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:29 pm
I wonder if Rep. Mah wasn’t the only House Dem to get a 7 a.m. visit from the Feds?

Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:30 pm
Not an easy call by Williams, but the right one.

The legislature should not be taking up major legislation regarding ComEd whilst they are a cooperating witness in a federal investigation into the legislature.

“Retaliatory” might be the wrong word, since action by their own admission is justifiable, but pending legislative action could be construed as influencing ComEds level of cooperation.

It’s a Catch-22.

Comment by Dread Pirate Roberts Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:35 pm
Not surprised, but very disappointed in the way the General Assembly is dealing with this mess.

Comment by Back to the Future Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:53 pm
Wait–the ICC is doing something? Not exactly the most go-getting of State agencies, so that’s a surprise. Whatever Williams’ motives, I do agree that the GA shouldn’t have hearings at this point. Let the criminal case play out, then maybe hearings about how to prevent this in the future.

Comment by Leslie K Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:57 pm
“As was the precedent during prior corruption cases” we too much experience in these matters.

Comment by illinois_citizen Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:01 pm
ICC Chair related to former Chicago Ald. visited by feds, no? Chair gets high marks for past service with Pollution Control Board, etc. - but appointment to ICC may have been strategic…

Comment by DEF Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:12 pm
Perhaps the committee could participate in a joint investigation with their Ohio counterpart? /s

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:51 pm