Since taking office in 2019, JB Pritzker’s energy agenda has pushed coal and natural-gas plants off the grid and forced Illinois consumers to subsidize higher-cost, less reliable solar and wind through surcharges and taxes. It continued Wednesday evening when the Illinois House, on a party line vote of 70 to 37, approved Senate Bill 25 that House Republicans say is just another example of flawed green energy fantasies that Illinois ratepayers are already all too familiar with.
Opponents of the measure say SB 25 is the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act all over again again—bigger, costlier, and riskier. It adds new mandates, raises rates, and threatens reliability by pushing dependable sources offline before affordable replacements exist. Expect more hidden fees for households and higher operating costs for employers that roll down to consumers.
State Representative Brad Fritts (R-Dixon) said he continually hears from his constituents that energy rates are a huge concern.
House Republicans say that while there is some good in this bill, such as the repeal of the nuclear construction ban, it’s crammed between handouts for special interests and rate hikes for consumers. They also support a comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy approach that can meet demand, is reliable, and doesn’t cost consumers an arm and a leg.