Press Releases...
2007
Watson Requesting Examples of Large Electric Rate Increase
Jacksonville, IL….Millions of Illinoisans are paying
higher electric rates thanks to the end of a 10 year price freeze. During the
veto session lawmakers talked about stopping the increases but were unable to
agree on how. State Representative Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville) is one of
several members of the General Assembly who promised to continue working to find
consensus. In an effort to obtain consumer relief the 97th District
State Representative is asking his constituents for their help in putting
pressure on legislative leaders to deal with the issue.
“What I would like is for my constituents or, for that
matter, anyone who has been affected to send us examples of their electric
bills” said Watson. “We want to compare what the bills were prior to the rate
hike and what they are now.”
Watson said he has already examined some dramatic rate
increases including one constituent whose bill went from $177 to $377. “I need
examples of these types of increases in order to take them into battle on the
House floor.”
During the fall veto session House leadership pushed to
extend the rate freeze another three years but that measure stalled in the
Senate. Leadership in the upper chamber backed a plan to phase in the increase
over three years but that plan stalled in the House where the Speaker claimed it
would cost consumers more than paying the higher rates now.
With the General Assembly’s spring session getting underway
next week Watson said bi-partisan leadership is needed in an effort to get
something done for consumers. “Downstate Republican and Democrat legislators
need to demand action” Watson said. “We need some people to step up and help
lead through this. If I could get a bill called in both chambers I most
certainly would, but as a representative I’m not able to do that. But I will
join anybody’s team to help our constituents.”
Examples of electric bills can be faxed to Representative
Watson’s office at 217-245-2071 or you may call the office at 217-243-6221.
#####
| 
