Illinois lawmakers call for hearings on high heating bills cities929.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cities929.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Grace Barbic
Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Advocates and lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would end a special gas utility surcharge that allows companies to raise customer bills in order to pay for infrastructure development with limited regulatory oversight.
The gas utility surcharge, known as the Qualified Infrastructure Plant, became law in 2013 after similar formula rate legislation that benefited utility giant Commonwealth Edison was passed. House Bill 3941, sponsored by Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, and accompanying Senate Bill 570, sponsored by Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, would phase out the surcharge by the end of 2021. It is otherwise not set to expire in 2023.