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.

House Bill 5429 (P.A. 96-1436) creates a Homeowners’ Solar Energy Act that will protect homeowners’ rights to develop, install and use solar energy in their homes as long as they follow certain guidelines.

The new law specifically prohibits homeowners associations and condominium associations from prohibiting the installation of solar panels, but does not apply to buildings that are greater than 30 feet in height.

JUDGE CALLS MGT PUSH PROGRAM A FAILURE

Late last week, the Quinn Administration released its long-awaited internal investigation on the “MGT Push” program.

The report was released August 13, just two days after the Governor’s office refused to participate in a legislative inquiry into the program.

The “MGT Push” program which released hundred of inmates, including violent offenders, almost immediately upon their arrival within the state corrections system, was a “failure,” according to the retired Judge charged with spearheading an investigation into the program.

Former Judge David Erickson’s report, first commissioned in December, declared the Meritorious Good Time (MGT) Push program a failure and said the Quinn Administration used the program as a means of reducing prison populations, rather than rewarding inmates for good behavior.

“...inmates had to do little or nothing to demonstrate ‘meritorious’ conduct deserving MGT Credit awards and then, given the perceived irrevocability of MGT Credit, could do nothing to jeopardize their awards.

“Under MGT Push and under the old MGT program, inmates were labeled as ‘meritorious’ simply by virtue of being delivered into DOC custody,” the report said.

The release followed the first meeting of a special Illinois Joint Investigatory Panel on Early Release, formed by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont and House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego.

The report prompted Senator Radogno and Representative Cross to again renew their request for Administration officials to testify before the panel.