SHELBYVILLE, IL… State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is renewing his call to Democrat leaders to schedule a joint hearing of the House Energy and Environment Committee and the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committees to discuss Illinois energy policy, considering the unaffordable electricity price hikes affecting Illinoisans.
“Since the inception of the Climate Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in 2021, I have been sounding the alarm on the harmful impacts this legislation would cause,” began Rep. Halbrook. “My biggest concerns were the lack of energy that would be available and how those costs would affect Illinoisans. Here we are four years later, and just as I predicted we have capacity shortages and are seeing intense spikes in electric bills – a 18%-22% increase from last year. I am once again calling on the House and Senate Energy Committees, and on Democratic Leaders, to take the steps necessary to provide some relief for Illinoisans.”
In May, House Republican members of the House Energy and Environment Committee sent a letter to the Democratic Chair and Vice Chair of the committee pleading for the consideration of a joint hearing to address the issue before the hot summer weather arrived. The letter Chair and Vice Chair of the committee noted that there was a possibility that a joint hearing could convene in mid-June, but a hearing has yet to be scheduled.
“This is only going to get worse,” continued Halbrook. “This week alone, almost all of the state of Illinois is under a heat advisory. These 90-100 degree days will cause significant rises in utility bills next month. Our constituents cannot afford this on top of all the other ludicrous taxes and fees they are required to pay here in Illinois. We MUST make changes. There is no time to waste. Our constituents deserve relief, and the Democrat leadership is running from the problem. We want to find a solution.”
Continuing to fight against the damages CEJA has caused, Rep. Halbrook serves as a Chief Co-Sponsor on HB 4088, a measure that would repeal CEJA and its 2045 deadline to end the use of carbon-emitting fossil fuels.
To help combat high costs, energy companies have implemented financial relief pilot programs for some eligible customers. However, with continued decrease in available surplus capacity, Halbrook notes that utility bills will remain high until Democrat leaders take steps to mitigate some of the financial burdens that are being passed to consumers since the enactment of CEJA.
For more information on the financial relief program Ameren Illinois is offering, visit Ameren.com. To reach Rep. Halbrook, please call (217) 342-0220 or visit RepHalbrook.com.
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