Quinn urges Governor to call for special session on Illinois Electric Rate Crisis `Illinois consumers cannot wait while politicians procrastinate,' says Quinn

(CHICAGO) -- Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is calling on Governor Blagojevich to convene a special session of the Illinois General Assembly to solve Illinois' Electric Rate Crisis, give ratepayers immediate relief from unfair electricity prices, and create a comprehensive plan to meet our state's electricity needs in the 21^st century.

 "Governor Blagojevich should be the state's top consumer advocate," Quinn said. "Overburdened businesses and everyday people across Illinois are counting on him to help solve this statewide crisis."

Last Friday, the Illinois Senate hastily adjourned for two weeks without taking action on SB1542, sponsored by Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton), a bill to roll back the rate increase imposed on Ameren and ComEd/Exelon customers in January of this year.  The Forby bill further calls for a one-year freeze of electricity prices at last year's lower rates.

"My office has received hundreds of calls from people who are getting socked by these unfair electric bills," Quinn said. "Our constituents say this is the most pressing issue they are facing. As elected leaders, we owe it to the people to take immediate action to end this crisis. Illinois consumers cannot wait while politicians procrastinate."

Since the unfair rate hike was announced last fall, Governor Blagojevich has consistently affirmed his support for a legislative plan to protect consumers and freeze electricity rates at last year's levels.  Quinn urged the Governor to resolve the state's Electric Rate Crisis by calling a special legislative session and demanding immediate action to cut electric rates statewide.

"Enough is enough," Quinn said. "I am calling on Governor Blagojevich to call a special session of the General Assembly focused exclusively on resolving Illinois' Electric Rate Crisis.  It is time to call in everyone involved - utility executives, consumer advocates, business owners, labor representatives, and local governments - sit them down at a table and tell them to roll up their sleeves and get to work."

               Under Article IV, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution, the Governor may convene a special 

session to focus on a single issue. Illinois law allows a special session to be conducted concurrently

 with the regular session of the General Assembly.

               Quinn said Governor Blagojevich should set four clear goals for the special session: 

Rolling back the rate hikes, throwing out the flawed "reverse auction" process that led to these 

unfair rate hikes, reforming the Illinois Commerce Commission, and creating a comprehensive 

energy plan for Illinois' future.

"Once the immediate problem is solved, we need a long-term, thoughtful plan that will increase utility companies' use of renewable fuel sources while increasing our energy efficiency and cutting back on the emission of greenhouse gases that threaten the future of our entire planet," Quinn said.

Since Illinois' nine-year freeze on electric rates ended on January 1, 2007, Ameren and ComEd residential customers have seen their basic electric bills rise by 25 to 100%, and "all-electric" households served by Ameren have been hit with increases of 200% to 300%.

Quinn led the statewide petition drive that created the Citizens Utility Board in April 1983, and he has spearheaded the statewide fight against the latest hike in electric rates.