April 19, 2024
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Will County state legislators praise energy bill passed by Senate

Many have argued the bill is necessary to save two nuclear plants

By Alex Ortiz
Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, said a group of moderate suburban and downstate Democrats calling themselves the “X Caucus” played a role in getting Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, elected Senate president Sunday. He noted the caucus sought certain concessions in backing Harmon, including increased power at the committee chair level and better “flow of information.”

Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park

State legislators representing parts of Will County praised the energy bill making its way through the General Assembly and which many have argued is key to keeping two nuclear plants in the state open.

The state Senate passed the bill early Wednesday. It includes nearly $700 million for a five-year subsidy of nuclear plants and an expanded rate cap to charge ratepayer bills to fund renewable projects.

“We came together to win a must-win battle to not only save jobs and generate clean energy, but to create new ethical standards for utility companies,” Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, said in a statement. “The result of this agreement is the preservation of 28,000 direct and indirect jobs and $149 million in local economic impact, maintaining our dominance in the energy generation market space, and allowing us to reach our renewable goals.”

Hastings highlighted the diverse number of voices that had to come together to formulate the legislation.

Both Republicans and Democrats in the legislature called for action to preserve the nuclear plants, which contribute to green energy and local economies.

Sue Rezin, election 2022, Channahon, government

State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, speaks at a campaign event for Jim Reilly, a candidate for Will County sheriff, on July 31, 2021 in Channahon. (Alex Ortiz)

“While I don’t agree with every aspect of this legislation, what I do support is the fact that this bill will preserve our nuclear fleet and keep thousands of good-paying jobs in our state,” Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, said in a statement.

She added that going into Wednesday, “thousands of union workers wondered if they would lose their jobs and be forced to move from the communities that they call home. With the passage of Senate Bill 18, we take an important step in securing a better energy future for Illinois.”

State Sen. John Connor, D-Lockport, said his constituents “have made clear to me that carbon-free nuclear generating stations are essential not only to the communities in which they reside, but also to moving Illinois to a carbon-free energy future.”

As of Thursday, the House of Representatives still had to pass the bill for it to be sent to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature.