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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Senior Advocates: Exelon Bill Bad for IL Taxpayers, Electric Customers

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Wednesday, May 18, 2016   

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois lawmakers on Thursday will be considering a bill that opponents say would be a taxpayer bailout of one of the country's most profitable energy companies.

At issue is Senate Bill 1585, which would allow Chicago-based energy giant Exelon to mandate a surcharge on electric bills statewide. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and several groups, including AARP Illinois, oppose the bill. Julie Vahling, associate state director of advocacy and outreach for AARP Illinois, said the bill, as it's written now, would lead to higher rates for energy customers and could put a financial burden on seniors who are living on fixed incomes.

"For the aging population," she said, "oftentimes utility costs are some of the highest percentages of where household income goes."

Exelon's northern Illinois affiliate, ComEd, has argued that the new so-called "demand rate" charges are needed to keep at least three of its downstate power plants from shutting down. Vahling argued, however, that federal rules would keep the plants open if they're deemed essential to the state's power grid.

If lawmakers do approve the new demand rate structure, Vahling said customers could be figuratively left in the dark when it comes to their electric bills.

"There is no technology in a household right now that allows a consumer to monitor what their demand is," she said. "So, it's basically saying, 'Well, we're going to charge you for something that you can't really see or monitor on your own in real time.' "

Exelon said it could start closing a plant in Clinton as soon as this fall if it sees no relief from Springfield. The state's Senate Energy Committee is expected to discuss the rate-increase bill Thursday afternoon.

Details of SB 1585 are online at ilga.gov.


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