NEW LAWS ENCOURAGE SOLAR ENERGY USE

Two bills were signed into law this week to encourage solar energy use. 

House Bill 6202 (P.A. 96-1437) changes the date that Commonwealth Edison and Ameren are required to begin ramping up their renewable solar requirement.

Previously, the electric suppliers had a 2015 deadline, but will now be required to show that 0.5 percent of the power is purchased from solar sources by 2012. The requirement will then incrementally increase over time and by 2015, six percent of power must be purchased from solar sources.

GOVERNOR TO RELEASE REPORT ON EARLY RELEASE PROGRAMS

Two days after a Republican-initiated panel held its first meeting to investigate a secret and controversial prisoner early-release program, the Governor released a report on the programs.

The Illinois Joint Investigatory Panel on Early Release met August 11 in Peoria. The panel selected that community, in part, because of the murder of a Peoria grandmother in May. The man accused of the crime had been a prisoner and participant in the controversial Meritorious Good Time Push (MGT-Push) program.

The panel first offered a brief review of the history of the controversy, and recounted efforts dating back to January to obtain information about the ill-fated program.

Although Governor Pat Quinn appointed former Judge David Erickson of the Cook County Circuit Court in December 2009 to conduct a review of release practices, a report still had not been released eight months later. However, two days after the panel's first meeting, the Governor released the report August 13.

PANEL TO INVESTIGATE EARLY-RELEASE PROGRAM

Republican legislative leaders are calling for further investigation into Governor Pat Quinn’s “MGT Push” prisoner early-release program.

On August 5, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont and House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego announced the formation of the Illinois Joint Investigatory Panel on Early Release to resolve questions about the details and community impact of Governor Quinn’s “MGT Push” prisoner early release program.

The Panel’s first hearing is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., August 11, in Arbor Hall, 2nd Floor Auditorium, Illinois Central College North Campus, 5407 N. University, Peoria.

Lawmakers and the public have been seeking answers about “MGT Push” since December 2009, but have been unsuccessful in getting the Quinn Administration to respond.

BUDGET DIRECTOR: STATE GOING TO INCREASE TAXES

Illinois Democrats plan to raise the state income tax by 66 percent in January, according the current Administration’s budget director, who made the announcement during a recent interview with Bloomberg Businessweek.

“We’re going to pass a tax increase in January. We expect it is going to be substantial,” budget director David Vaught is quoted as telling the national business publication. Vaught said an increase from the current 3 percent to 5 percent is likely. It would cost taxpayers $6 billion and would be the largest tax hike in Illinois’ history.

In 2009, Democrats in the Illinois Senate approved a similar tax increase, but the House of Representatives has not acted on that increase. It’s unclear from Vaught’s remarks if he was referring to that increase – which could yet be passed by the House – or if he was referring to a new proposal.