THE ILLINOIZE: Thursday Free for All...Brewing battle between state and utility companies...The coolest thing made in Illinois...Gillespie resigns this weekend
April 11, 2024
Good morning, Illinois.
Happy Master’s weekend to all who celebrate. Though, the tournament starts under a weather delay this morning. I’m on toddler duty all weekend…you think he would like pimento cheese?
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The House is in at 11. The Senate is in at 12. There is nothing on Governor Pritzker’s public schedule.
Let’s get to it.
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Regulators weigh future of gas industry in Illinois, while clamping down on Chicago utility (Capitol News Illinois)
Natural gas is fueling a fight between consumer advocates, a powerful utility company and the state. Amid competing advertising campaigns, accusations of mismanagement and state decarbonization efforts, the Illinois Commerce Commission is starting a process that will shape how the state regulates the increasingly controversial industry.
While Chicago considers passing an ordinance to ban natural gas in some new building construction, state officials are moving more slowly in an attempt to ensure Illinois meets its goal of having 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.
The ICC launched a process dubbed the “Future of Gas” that will inform the governor, legislature and other policymakers on potential policy changes.
“We need to get this right,” ICC Chair Doug Scott said at a virtual workshop with over 350 advocates and industry officials last week. “We get one really good shot at this.”
Rob Kelter, senior attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center, praised the new approach to regulation and Scott’s personal attention to the proceeding while welcoming the fact that these discussions are happening outside of a traditional rate case, where utilities have more say in setting the agenda.
“What I hope will result from this is a lot of good, productive discussion that objectively analyzes the state’s options for reducing carbon emissions,” Kelter said.
A spokesperson for Peoples Gas, echoed that sentiment and added the state’s gas distribution system will play a major part in reaching the state’s climate goals.
“Natural gas, along with emerging technologies such as Renewable Natural Gas and Hydrogen, will be critical to meeting Chicagoans’ need for reliable, affordable, decarbonized energy,” Peoples Gas’ David Schwartz said in a statement.
Related: Editorial: We shouldn’t have to subsidize union jobs with higher utility bills. A terrible idea surfaces in Springfield. (Chicago Tribune)
Komatsu’s mining truck wins 'Coolest Thing Made in Illinois' honor (Bloomington Pantagraph)
Komatsu’s mining truck was named the 2024 winner of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association's “Makers Madness” contest, receiving the title of “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker awarded Komatsu the title during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion on Wednesday in Springfield. IMA hosts the eight-week, bracket-style contest to celebrate the work of Illinois manufacturers, with the public casting votes.
“We are super proud and honored to get this recognition,” said Dan Funcannon, Komatsu’s North America engineering and development vice president. “(We’re) really proud of mostly the people in Peoria who build each and every one of the products and ship them around the world to support our customers.”
Komatsu, a Japanese company with a manufacturing center in Peoria, is a leader in construction, mining, forestry and industrial heavy equipment. Its winning truck is a large-capacity vehicle used for mining and construction and built to meet productivity targets.
“This magnificent construction and mining vehicle is a shining example of the innovation and creativity that drives the manufacturing sector, where big ideas become products that can change the world,” IMA President and CEO Mark Denzler said in a statement.
Related: Komatsu mining truck named 2024 ‘coolest thing made in Illinois’ (Capitol News Illinois)
Massive truck made in Peoria is named 'Coolest Thing Made in Illinois' (Peoria Journal Star)
Sen. Gillespie resigning to lead state insurance department (Daily Herald)
Democratic state Sen. Ann Gillespie of Arlington Heights will resign to lead the state agency that regulates insurance companies, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday.
Gillespie, who was elected to a second term in 2022, will succeed Dana Popish Severinghaus as director of the state insurance department, pending senate confirmation.
Popish Severinghaus is stepping down effective April 15, Pritzker said in a news release. Gillespie will join the department in mid-April, first as its acting director.
“It’s an honor to be asked to serve the state of Illinois in this new capacity,” Gillespie said in the news release. “I am eager to begin working with the Department of Insurance to make sure the system works for Illinois consumers.”
As a senator, Gillespie sponsored the bill to create the state-based health insurance marketplace, among other pieces of legislation. She’s also a former health care attorney and consultant in the health care field.
We’ve confirmed Gillespie’s resignation is effective at 11:59pm Sunday night.
Related: Pritzker names Sen. Ann Gillespie new head of state insurance oversight agency (Capitol News Illinois)
Gov. J.B. Pritzker taps northwest suburban lawmaker to run state insurance department (Chicago Tribune)
Ann Gillespie resigns Senate seat to become Illinois' insurance industry overseer (Crain’s Chicago Business)
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POLITICAL POTPOURRI
Pritzker pitches grants to open new stores in food deserts (Chicago Sun-Times)
Illinois Senate to consider bill that would make EV chargers more accessible (Daily Herald)
After downstate funeral home misidentified remains, legislators pass measure calling for stricter regulation (Chicago Tribune)
Bill nixing senior road test clears committee. What’s next? (Daily Herald)
House bill takes aim at racial disparities in CPS teacher evaluations (Crain’s Chicago Business)
After balking earlier, Johnson to ask City Council to spend $70M on migrant services (Chicago Tribune)
At City Hall, a progressive crusader steps into the chief of staff role (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Ozinga resigns Illinois House seat, but will still lead Will County Republicans (Shaw Media)
Voter data released for nearly 30K Springfield residents by far right publication (State Journal-Register)
Krishnamoorthi: ‘We need an immediate, sustained cease-fire’ (Daily Herald)
Opinion: Keep pressing on full costs of proposed new early childhood agency (Shaw Media)
Opinion: Getting rid of tipped wages in Illinois would be the final blow to many restaurants (Chicago Sun-Times)
Opinion: The fight against government bloat needs more powerful allies (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Opinion: Grading the Mayor (Chicago Magazine)
Opinion: The birth pangs of Chicago's elected school board (Crain’s Chicago Business)
Opinion: March another good revenue month for Illinois (Champaign News-Gazette)
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