(Chicago, IL) — March 29, 2011. As ComEd seeks rate increases and legisltive changes to its state oversight, multiple groups yesterday rallied in Chicago to persuade Illinois lawmakers to derail the utility’s agenda in Springfield.
Illinois AARP, along with the Office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the Citizens Utility Board, and other community organizations held a rally and a press conference on Chicago’s Southside, urging consumers to take action, contact their legislators, call the Illinois Commerce Commission and halt ComEd’s rate change legislation.
ComEd is seeking a $396 million delivery service rate increase, plus an additional surcharge for $196 million in technology investments, according to Illinois AARP.
The utility giant is also pushing for legislation, House Bill 14, that would circumvent the ICC’s regulatory authority and allow for automatic rate increases.
“ComEd has been consistently raising their delivery rates since 2006 – and citizens have seen and felt the effects in their wallets,” said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois Senior State Director. “We need to act now because time is running out. Both rate cases must be decided by the Illinois Commerce Commission in May – and by the end of May we hope to put enough pressure on the legislature in Springfield to defeat the automatic rate increase legislation.”
Illinois AARP held a community meeting with hundreds of Southside residents at Trinity United Church of Christ, and a press conference afterwards, with the Association and other advocacy organizations and community groups, as well as representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and the CUB. The groups urged residents to call the ICC and their elected representatives in Springfield to defeat both the rate cases, and House Bill 14.
“House Bill Fourteen is not a problem only for ComEd customers in Chicago,” said Gallo. “This is an issue that involves everybody in Illinois, and we need everybody in the state to get involved.”
Gov. Pat Quinn
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