ILLINOIS STATE NEWS BRIEF (12/15/2023)

(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Commerce Commission has rejected both grid plans submitted by Ameren Illinois and Commonweath Edison, finding that both utility companies failed to comply with several components of the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act. Specifically, the ICC found that both failed to sufficiently incorporate customer affordability into their plans, plus their grid proposals did not outline how 40% of plan benefits would be directed to low income and environmental justice communities. The ICC decision also requires that both utilities file an updated grid plan within three months of the final order.

(SPRINGFIELD) The head of the Illinois NAACP is embroiled in a controversy after comments she made about illegal immigrants in the Land of Lincoln. In a recent ZOOM meeting with NAACP leaders from around the state. Teresa Haley said the immigrants have been raping people and breaking into homes and she compared them to savages. While Governor Pritzker denounced the comments, when reached for comments from ABC 7 in Chicago, Haley suggested the video was “fake” and said anything is possible with AI.

(SPRINGFIELD) Students from the University of Illinois are doing something new as they research the recent tornado outbreak down in Tennessee. So far, the students have collected data on wind speeds and looping features from the leftover debris from the storms. Once the data is collected, the findings will be published in an academic journal.

(SPRINGFIELD) The battle to save Illinois landmarks continues with a public nomination campaign focused on sites deserving of preservation. The annual contest to recognize the state’s most endangered historic places was started by Landmarks Illinois back in 1995 with nominations accepted from anyone via the Landmarks.org website before the January 12th deadline. The top winners in the contest will then be announced in May of next year.