Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that his office, along with consumer groups and the Illinois Commerce Commission, has entered into an agreement with the major utility companies to enact important consumer protections once the Illinois Commerce Commission's (ICC) shut-off and late fee moratorium has lifted.
The Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation (ISEIF) announced last week names of organizations that will be receiving approximately $5 million in grants to promote smart grid technology across the state.
While the Citizens Utility Board may be prohibited by law from backing candidates for public office, there's no law barring CUB leaders from backing politicians.
An ongoing state budget impasse is the biggest thing on the minds of state lawmakers these days, but an approaching debate over renewable energy could emerge as another high stakes policy battle.
The Illinois Citizens Utility Board says the Clean Jobs Bill will save utility customers at least $1 billion by 2030, and would translates into a minimum savings of $8 to $9 a month for each customer. Those claims, however, are vigorously disputed by various policy analysts.
A tax exempt organization that lobbies and litigates against utility companies was awarded $1.5 million in state grants that was used to pay the salaries of existing staff members as well as rent and utilities. Citizens Utility Board received the economic development grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through a budget controlled by former Gov. Pat Quinn.
The next year could bring significant changes to the renewable energy industry in Illinois, as the legislature will likely consider a state measure to change the renewable portfolio standard as well as a federal mandate to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, released by the Obama administration last week.
CHICAGO - While the Illinois Citizens Utility Board caught some development and policy experts off guard with its support of the potentially pricey Clean Jobs Bill earlier this year, Dan Proft of the Illinois Opportunity Project contends that he wasn’t surprised. “Sometimes they’ll tilt at windmills, figuratively and literally, if it means sticking it to ComEd,” he said.
SPRINGFIELD - In recent months, the Illinois Citizens Utility Board (CUB) surprised economic development and policy experts like Mark Glennon by staunchly supporting the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill. Illinois Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) introduced the bill in February, with the intent to increase energy efficiency and use of renewable resources, reduce carbon pollution and create jobs. The Clean Jobs Bill has stalled for now, but proponents have signaled it
Although it ruled in the state’s favor in a case challenging a tax imposed on nursing homes, the Illinois Supreme Court on Friday asked the legislature it take another look at the so-called “bed tax” and decide whether it’s really necessary to charge certain operators, like those that don’t participate in the Medicaid system or government-funded programs.
Madigan SPRINGFIELD-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan lashed out at state regulators for approving a $162 million rate increase for most Ameren Corp. utility customers in the state.
Christmas may be a little sweeter for SBC customers. As a result of a $12 million class action settlement reached two months ago, claim forms entitling them to a $25 refund are being mailed in December statements.