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Senate Democrats limiting discussion about utilities House
Speaker Michael Madigan allowed the members of the House of
Representatives, as well as Illinois citizens, the opportunity to
publicly voice their opinions for many hours on Feb. 27 about the
controversy swirling around higher utility rates. So why is it that
Senate Democratic leaders seem to be trying to squelch debate about
the issue?
Serving as the Senate's presiding officer Feb. 28, Sen. Iris
Martinez, D-Chicago, cut off Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon,
while he was commenting about utility rates on the Senate floor.
Jones was telling people to call the governor's office with their
concerns about skyrocketing utility bills, when Martinez interrupted
him and told him his comments were not appropriate.
"Bring Your Power Bills to the Governor" Day on Wednesday
Jones, Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, and I are asking consumers who
have been affected by the skyrocketing electric rates to travel to
Springfield on Wednesday, when the governor is set to make his
annual State of the State and budget address.
The "Bring Your Electric Bills to the Governor" Day will take
place at 11 a.m. outside the governor's office on the second floor
of the Capitol building. Citizens should bring a copy of their
electric bills with personal information concealed. Because of state
Capitol security measures, everyone in attendance should bring a
suitable form of identification. For information, call Ron Deedrick
at 217-782-0757.
Whether or not the governor realizes it, or wants to admit it,
this is a statewide problem, and he needs to deal with it as the
governor of the entire state of Illinois. Unfortunately, it seems
that until Chicago feels the pain, nothing will happen. The time for
action is now.
We are also asking groups like the Citizens Utility Board and the
National Federation of Independent Businesses for their help in
mobilizing consumers. Members of the business and agriculture
communities are invited as well.
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Legislators have asked, several times, for Democratic leaders and
the governor to take action on the issue. However, other than a
letter sent to the speaker of the House, the governor has been
silent. The House held a rare committee of the whole on Feb. 27 to
address the electric rate issue; however, no floor votes have been
taken in the House or the Senate. Attorney general asked to
investigate U of I board decision
Questions are being raised about whether the University of
Illinois board of trustees violated any laws when they made their
decision to retire Chief Illiniwek.
The board of trustees announced Feb. 16 that Chief Illiniwek's
last appearance after 81 years as the university's symbol was Feb.
21, during the last men's home basketball game. Since that time,
media reports have indicated that some of the trustees disagreed
with the manner in which the decision was reached.
In accordance with the laws, I have asked the Office of the
Attorney General to investigate this decision, not in terms of the
Chief, but in terms of whether or not the board violated the Open
Meetings Act.
I have heard from many people who have questioned the behavior of
the board and the fact that such an important body exists in the
state of Illinois and is not representative of the people through
the popular vote. As such, I am also introducing legislation that
will allow Illinois voters to once again vote for the board of
trustees, instead of having the trustees appointed by the governor.
Aside from whether or not you believe the Chief ought to continue
as the honored symbol of the University of Illinois, the real issue
here is: Did the board of trustees operate in a legal and
trustworthy manner?
[Text from file received from
Sen. Bill Brady]
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