The House and Senate returned to Springfield this week. The House was in session Tuesday and Wednesday with the Senate in session Tuesday through Thursday.
The bill filing deadline for both the House and the Senate was this Friday. A little more than 2500 new bills have been filed since the beginning of the year.
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The House Energy Committee met on Tuesday of this week. The Committee unanimously approved HR 651 (Rep. Andre Thapedi, D-Chicago). The resolution encourages the utility industry to use advanced transmission technology. The resolution is an initiative of American Electric Power. The Energy Association has not taken a position on the resolution at this time.
The Governor gave his annual Budget Address this Wednesday. The budget includes significant changes to the State’s pension policy. The Governor has proposed that local school districts, colleges and universities pay for the normal cost of all future pension benefits. The State has traditionally paid for the pension cost associated with public education outside of Chicago. The Governor is also looking for reforms to pension benefits that would generate $1 billion in savings for the State.
In addition to pension reforms, the Governor has proposed cutting health care subsidies for employees and retirees, along with significant cuts to human services throughout Illinois. All of these reforms and cuts would allow the State to slowly roll back the income tax increase that was implemented last year. Initial indications suggest that the Governor’s proposed budget is unlikely to pass, and that the General Assembly will develop an alternative.
The House is not in session next week. The Senate is scheduled to return to Springfield next Tuesday and stay in session until Thursday.
The Illinois Energy Association has scheduled their annual House Committees reception for March 6th at Maldaner’s from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The Senate Committees reception is scheduled for March 13th at the Sangamo Club from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The annual Association Breakfast is scheduled for March 14th at the Sangamo Club for 8:30 am. This year, Senate Energy and Public Utilities Chairman Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) will be the guest speaker for breakfast. Anyone wishing to attend any of these events should RSVP to Erica Drake at edrake@elaineg75.sg-host.com or by calling 217-523-7348.
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