Search

Working for Illinois Caucus

House Downstate Democrats work for the good people of Illinois

Tag

17-Energy

Rep. Connor, Citizens Utility Board Urge Support Of Bill To Require Referendum Before Il Cities Privatize Water Systems

https://ift.tt/2W8T05c

CHICAGO, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — To protect consumers from the growing problem of privatization and high water bills, a new proposal in Springfield would require cities across Illinois to hold referendums before a private utility could buy their water/sewer system.

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) urged Illinoisans concerned about high water bills to visit CUBActionCenter.com to send a message to the General Assembly in support of House Bill 2392, ahead of a Subject Matter hearing held by the House Public Utilities Committee 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. The measure is sponsored by state Rep. John Connor of Crest Hill.

"Five years ago, private water companies pushed a bill that let them increase rates on their own customers to buy more public water systems," Rep. Connor said. "Last year, they extended that bill another 10 years.  And who’s paying for them to buy these public water systems?  You are, if you are on a private water system. I just think that in a democracy they should get permission from most of the people affected first."

HB 2392, which has bipartisan support, would require a referendum of local voters prior to a municipality being allowed to sell its water/sewer system to Illinois American Water or Aqua Illinois, the state’s two largest private water companies. Although about 80 percent of water systems in Illinois are public, Illinois American and Aqua in recent years have been buying more community systems, thanks in part to friendly state legislation.

Last fall, the General Assembly passed the Water Privatization Act, an update to an earlier law. The act, one of the most aggressive privatization laws in the country, allows Illinois American and Aqua to buy any public system in the state, and recover 100 percent of the cost, plus profits, by automatically raising the rates of existing customers. And it eliminates restrictions on the size of the system those companies can target. 

Privatization often leads to higher water bills. A Chicago Tribune investigation in 2017 found that Aqua and Illinois American charge 20 percent to 70 percent more than public systems in the Chicago region. The companies raked in total combined profits of more than $750 million in 2018, and their stock prices have been trading near all-time highs.

"Shareholders in corporations are given the opportunity to vote prior to the sale of that corporation," said Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs. "The residents of the municipality are the shareholders in their water system and deserve a vote on the future of an asset critical to their lives."

CUB is celebrating its 35th anniversary as Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit CitizensUtilityBoard.org

SOURCE Citizens Utility Board

Related Links

http://www.citizensutilityboard.org

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,E Leg,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered

via PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing

March 18, 2019 at 10:43AM

Rep. Connor, Citizens Utility Board Urge Support Of Bill To Require Referendum Before Il Cities Privatize Water Systems

https://ift.tt/2W8T05c

CHICAGO, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — To protect consumers from the growing problem of privatization and high water bills, a new proposal in Springfield would require cities across Illinois to hold referendums before a private utility could buy their water/sewer system.

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) urged Illinoisans concerned about high water bills to visit CUBActionCenter.com to send a message to the General Assembly in support of House Bill 2392, ahead of a Subject Matter hearing held by the House Public Utilities Committee 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. The measure is sponsored by state Rep. John Connor of Crest Hill.

"Five years ago, private water companies pushed a bill that let them increase rates on their own customers to buy more public water systems," Rep. Connor said. "Last year, they extended that bill another 10 years.  And who’s paying for them to buy these public water systems?  You are, if you are on a private water system. I just think that in a democracy they should get permission from most of the people affected first."

HB 2392, which has bipartisan support, would require a referendum of local voters prior to a municipality being allowed to sell its water/sewer system to Illinois American Water or Aqua Illinois, the state’s two largest private water companies. Although about 80 percent of water systems in Illinois are public, Illinois American and Aqua in recent years have been buying more community systems, thanks in part to friendly state legislation.

Last fall, the General Assembly passed the Water Privatization Act, an update to an earlier law. The act, one of the most aggressive privatization laws in the country, allows Illinois American and Aqua to buy any public system in the state, and recover 100 percent of the cost, plus profits, by automatically raising the rates of existing customers. And it eliminates restrictions on the size of the system those companies can target. 

Privatization often leads to higher water bills. A Chicago Tribune investigation in 2017 found that Aqua and Illinois American charge 20 percent to 70 percent more than public systems in the Chicago region. The companies raked in total combined profits of more than $750 million in 2018, and their stock prices have been trading near all-time highs.

"Shareholders in corporations are given the opportunity to vote prior to the sale of that corporation," said Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs. "The residents of the municipality are the shareholders in their water system and deserve a vote on the future of an asset critical to their lives."

CUB is celebrating its 35th anniversary as Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit CitizensUtilityBoard.org

SOURCE Citizens Utility Board

Related Links

http://www.citizensutilityboard.org

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,E Leg,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered

via PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing

March 18, 2019 at 10:43AM

Rep. Connor, Citizens Utility Board Urge Support Of Bill To Require Referendum Before Il Cities Privatize Water Systems

https://ift.tt/2W8T05c

CHICAGO, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — To protect consumers from the growing problem of privatization and high water bills, a new proposal in Springfield would require cities across Illinois to hold referendums before a private utility could buy their water/sewer system.

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) urged Illinoisans concerned about high water bills to visit CUBActionCenter.com to send a message to the General Assembly in support of House Bill 2392, ahead of a Subject Matter hearing held by the House Public Utilities Committee 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. The measure is sponsored by state Rep. John Connor of Crest Hill.

"Five years ago, private water companies pushed a bill that let them increase rates on their own customers to buy more public water systems," Rep. Connor said. "Last year, they extended that bill another 10 years.  And who’s paying for them to buy these public water systems?  You are, if you are on a private water system. I just think that in a democracy they should get permission from most of the people affected first."

HB 2392, which has bipartisan support, would require a referendum of local voters prior to a municipality being allowed to sell its water/sewer system to Illinois American Water or Aqua Illinois, the state’s two largest private water companies. Although about 80 percent of water systems in Illinois are public, Illinois American and Aqua in recent years have been buying more community systems, thanks in part to friendly state legislation.

Last fall, the General Assembly passed the Water Privatization Act, an update to an earlier law. The act, one of the most aggressive privatization laws in the country, allows Illinois American and Aqua to buy any public system in the state, and recover 100 percent of the cost, plus profits, by automatically raising the rates of existing customers. And it eliminates restrictions on the size of the system those companies can target. 

Privatization often leads to higher water bills. A Chicago Tribune investigation in 2017 found that Aqua and Illinois American charge 20 percent to 70 percent more than public systems in the Chicago region. The companies raked in total combined profits of more than $750 million in 2018, and their stock prices have been trading near all-time highs.

"Shareholders in corporations are given the opportunity to vote prior to the sale of that corporation," said Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs. "The residents of the municipality are the shareholders in their water system and deserve a vote on the future of an asset critical to their lives."

CUB is celebrating its 35th anniversary as Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit CitizensUtilityBoard.org

SOURCE Citizens Utility Board

Related Links

http://www.citizensutilityboard.org

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,E Leg,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered

via PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing

March 18, 2019 at 10:43AM

State rep sponsors drone bill

https://ift.tt/2W1hfST

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa
State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is sponsoring legislation protecting first responders from interference from unmanned drone pilots.

Drones can be used by pilots to get an aerial view of what they normally would not be able to see; however, their use can get in the way of police, firemen or paramedics.

“We have seen increased activity from civilians using state-of-the-art drones to interfere with first responders when they are carrying out their duties, like in police chases or rescue missions,” said Yednock in a press statement. “I want to send a clear signal that it is unacceptable for anyone to interfere with the job of a first responder when they are protecting our safety or on the scene of an emergency.”

Yednock’s House Bill 3452 aims to prevent interference with first responders from members of the general public using drones, which have been subject to criticism from fire departments across the country, Yednock said.

Drones have interrupted 11 firefighting efforts, according to the U.S. Forest Service. They can delay and postpone public safety missions even though their flight might not be intended to cause issues.

“Drones are best used when they’re helping our first responders accomplish their search and rescue missions, not when these devices are used to purposely obstruct a life-saving rescue attempt or police pursuit, like we have seen,” said Yednock. “First responders deserve to be able to do their jobs in keeping us all safe without interference by anyone or anything and making an already difficult job much harder.”

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered,E-AFFI,HL,HL New,RKPRS HL

via | The Times

March 15, 2019 at 04:01PM

State rep sponsors drone bill

https://ift.tt/2W1hfST

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa
State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is sponsoring legislation protecting first responders from interference from unmanned drone pilots.

Drones can be used by pilots to get an aerial view of what they normally would not be able to see; however, their use can get in the way of police, firemen or paramedics.

“We have seen increased activity from civilians using state-of-the-art drones to interfere with first responders when they are carrying out their duties, like in police chases or rescue missions,” said Yednock in a press statement. “I want to send a clear signal that it is unacceptable for anyone to interfere with the job of a first responder when they are protecting our safety or on the scene of an emergency.”

Yednock’s House Bill 3452 aims to prevent interference with first responders from members of the general public using drones, which have been subject to criticism from fire departments across the country, Yednock said.

Drones have interrupted 11 firefighting efforts, according to the U.S. Forest Service. They can delay and postpone public safety missions even though their flight might not be intended to cause issues.

“Drones are best used when they’re helping our first responders accomplish their search and rescue missions, not when these devices are used to purposely obstruct a life-saving rescue attempt or police pursuit, like we have seen,” said Yednock. “First responders deserve to be able to do their jobs in keeping us all safe without interference by anyone or anything and making an already difficult job much harder.”

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered,E-AFFI,HL,HL New,RKPRS HL

via | The Times

March 15, 2019 at 04:01PM

State rep sponsors drone bill

https://ift.tt/2W1hfST

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa
State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa

State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is sponsoring legislation protecting first responders from interference from unmanned drone pilots.

Drones can be used by pilots to get an aerial view of what they normally would not be able to see; however, their use can get in the way of police, firemen or paramedics.

“We have seen increased activity from civilians using state-of-the-art drones to interfere with first responders when they are carrying out their duties, like in police chases or rescue missions,” said Yednock in a press statement. “I want to send a clear signal that it is unacceptable for anyone to interfere with the job of a first responder when they are protecting our safety or on the scene of an emergency.”

Yednock’s House Bill 3452 aims to prevent interference with first responders from members of the general public using drones, which have been subject to criticism from fire departments across the country, Yednock said.

Drones have interrupted 11 firefighting efforts, according to the U.S. Forest Service. They can delay and postpone public safety missions even though their flight might not be intended to cause issues.

“Drones are best used when they’re helping our first responders accomplish their search and rescue missions, not when these devices are used to purposely obstruct a life-saving rescue attempt or police pursuit, like we have seen,” said Yednock. “First responders deserve to be able to do their jobs in keeping us all safe without interference by anyone or anything and making an already difficult job much harder.”

010-Inoreader Saves,01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,16-Econ,17-Energy,19-Legal,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered,E-AFFI,HL,HL New,RKPRS HL

via | The Times

March 15, 2019 at 04:01PM

State Rep. Connor backs bill to invest in renewable energy, jobs

https://ift.tt/2UrNSc9

State Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, is supporting a bill which would invest in sustainable energy and environmentally-friendly jobs.

The Clean Energy Jobs Act, House Bill 3624, would set aside $25 million to generate employment opportunities throughout Illinois through "clean energy empowerment zones to help communities transition away from fossil fuels," according to a news release. It would also promote a vehicle electrification program and requires the state run entirely on renewable energy by 2050.

"Green technology will drive down the cost of power while lifting up disadvantaged communities with new jobs and business opportunities," Connor said in the release. "By investing in renewable energy, we are investing in our economy and our future."

The bill specifically refers to the transportatiion sector, which it said is the leading source of carbon pollution in Illinois. It calls for removing the equivalent of 1 million gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles from the roads by expanding access to transit, promoting walking and biking and increasing electric vehicle adoption.

"It is time for Illinois to take its place at the forefront of the clean energy movement," Connor said. "Utilizing the endless energy of the wind and sun isn’t just common sense, it’s the way to create a better, cleaner world for our children."

Connor is a co-sponsor of the bill.

01-All No Sub,02-Pol,17-Energy,16-Econ,19-Legal,24-ILGA,25-Working,26-Delivered

Feeds,City: Joliet,Region: Joliet,Region: South Suburbs,Opinion

via https://ift.tt/2pUn2Le https://ift.tt/2SHQ4f3

March 11, 2019 at 02:32PM

State Lawmakers In Champaign-Urbana Seeking Public Input About Legalizing Weed In Illinois

http://bit.ly/2DOaufR

Senator Scott Bennett and Representative Carol Ammons will host a town hall on marijuana legalization on Feb. 18, 2019. The event begins at 6 p.m. at the Illinois Terminal in Champaign.

01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,19-Legal,17-Energy,26-Delivered,24-ILGA,25-Working,E MCAI,E Stone

Feeds,News,Region: Champaign,Region: Central

via Illinois Public Media News http://bit.ly/2SGHBMN

February 17, 2019 at 08:36PM

State Lawmakers In Champaign-Urbana Seeking Public Input About Legalizing Weed In Illinois

http://bit.ly/2DOaufR

Senator Scott Bennett and Representative Carol Ammons will host a town hall on marijuana legalization on Feb. 18, 2019. The event begins at 6 p.m. at the Illinois Terminal in Champaign.

01-All No Sub,02-Pol,15-Health,19-Legal,17-Energy,26-Delivered,24-ILGA,25-Working,E MCAI,E Stone

Feeds,News,Region: Champaign,Region: Central

via Illinois Public Media News http://bit.ly/2SGHBMN

February 17, 2019 at 08:36PM

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑