44th District weekly update          Send a link to a friend

From Sen. Bill Brady

[April 09, 2007] 

Lack of leadership or indifference to downstate? Utility customers stranded

Democratic leaders' appalling lack of leadership, or perhaps supreme indifference to downstate concerns, has left utility customers stranded as they head into the fourth month of higher electric rates and higher utility bills.

The House speaker and the Senate president failed to reach a workable compromise on electric rate hikes before adjourning March 30 for a two-week spring break.

A long-term solution to this crisis is needed to provide low-cost electricity to everyone in Illinois without bankrupting the utility companies. This solution is important because it will retain jobs in Illinois, while reducing the financial burden placed on families, senior citizens and businesses by the staggering rate increases.

However, until that time, some kind of immediate, short-term relief is needed. It's terribly disappointing that downstate utility consumers, who are the hardest hit by the recent electric rate hikes, are not a top priority for the Democratic legislative leaders, who are both residents of Chicago.

Senate likes Tremont resident's idea to cut energy costs

Dan Mathis of Tremont says he has been interested in different types of energy sources since he was a teenager. So he brought me an idea about cutting energy costs, and I agreed to sponsor legislation based on his suggestions.

On March 29, the Senate voted unanimously to approve that legislation.

Senate Bill 680 requires an electric utility to establish a "net metering" pilot program for its retail customers that own and operate a solar-powered or wind-powered electrical generating facility.

Alternative energy sources reduce consumer reliance on utility companies and reduce costs. Skyrocketing electric rates and extremely cold weather earlier this year have forced many utility customers to consider the need to cut energy use or use an alternative energy source. Many other states are finding that the net metering bill is something that works well because it allows people to make the investment to produce their own energy, solar or otherwise.

Senate Bill 680 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

The best ideas for legislation come from Illinois citizens who in their day-to-day lives encounter problems and come up with great, common-sense ways to address these situations. I would urge others who have workable ideas to give me a call.

Senate approves teen driving safety legislation

Keeping young people safer by strengthening the requirements for their first driver's license is the goal of legislation I am co-sponsoring, which was approved March 27 by the Senate.

The need for this legislation became very apparent when one of the seven counties I represent -- Tazewell County -- suffered 15 teen-driving fatalities in just 15 months. Sadly, there are too many more such accidents happening in other communities across the state. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among adolescents.

[to top of second column]

Based on recommendations by Secretary of State Jesse White's Teen Driver Safety Task Force, Senate Bill 172 increases the required permit phase for drivers younger than 18 from three months to nine months, proposes a stricter driving curfew for new drivers, and sets tough penalties -- including license revocation and vehicle impoundment -- for drivers who are involved in street racing. The legislation also imposes increased penalties for new drivers who commit a moving or seat belt violation, and it prohibits graduated license holders younger than 18 from having more than one passenger younger than 20 in the car for the first year they have the permit.

White's task force -- composed of legislators, traffic safety experts, law enforcement officials, educators, judges and victim advocates -- conducted public hearings in Springfield, Carterville and Chicago to study proposals aimed at keeping teen drivers safe.

Passed by a 54-2 Senate vote March 27, Senate Bill 172 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Smoking ban passes Senate

On March 29, the Senate voted 34-23 to ban smoking in all indoor public places, including bars, restaurants and state prisons.

I understand the reasons the bill's proponents are seeking the ban. I acknowledge the health risks of secondhand smoke. But I voted against the measure because of personal rights.

People should have a right to do what they want with their property. If you own a business, you should decide if you want to allow people to smoke there. If your decision is wrong in the eyes of your consumers, then your business will suffer and you might rethink your decision. But the decision should be yours to make.

Local student groups, museums featured in Capitol

The state Capitol was filled with a number of central Illinois residents the last week of March.

On March 27, 4-H groups from Chatsworth, DeWitt County, Logan County and McLean County stopped by to visit as part of a Legislative Connection event, which helped lawmakers learn about the 4-H program and gave 4-H members a firsthand look at how laws are made.

March 28 was an exceptionally busy day.

A former Bloomington resident, the Rev. Christopher Layden of Champaign, delivered the opening prayer for the Senate. He is assistant chaplain at St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois.

Also that day, as part of Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day in Springfield, I welcomed students from counties served by the Menard Electric Cooperative. The students came from Midwest Central, Sangamon Valley, Havana, Williamsville, Illini Central and Porta schools.

I was also pleased to talk with FFA groups from Seneca, LeRoy and Heyworth in my office as part of Ag Legislative Day in the capital city.

And last, but most certainly not least, March 28 was Illinois Museum Day, and the halls were filled with exhibits from museums across the state, including the Children's Discovery Museum in Normal, the Macon County Historical Society and Museum Complex in Decatur, and the McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington.

[Text from file received from Sen. Bill Brady]

            

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor