By now probably every person in the state of Illinois knows Ameren/ComEd raised utility rates last January. Everyone knows the utilities' initial estimate of a 30% to 50% increase was low, way low. The rate hikes actually range from 100% to 200%, some higher. People are having to struggle to pay their utility bill if they can -- and many can't.
Both utilities show total indifference to the crushing effect these rate hikes are having on the paychecks of those who actually work for a living in Illinois -- or try to. And consequences for the state's economy are also grim.
The Citizens Utility Board, a "watchdog" organization, released a study indicating 20,000 jobs could be lost in Illinois due to the hikes. The hikes will siphon $2.3 billion out of Illinois' economy each year, creating even more unemployment and a further decline in our standard of living. In Southern Illinois -- where I live -- this process has already begun.
Ameren and Com/Ed use the same old shibboleths we heard many times before to justify their rate hikes; the need to remain "economically feasible," to remain "cost effective," the possibility of bankruptcy without the increases. You believe that?
Fact is, in 2006 Ameren reported record profits. So far this year, in the first quarter of 2007 alone, profits have jumped 76%. We're talking about $123 million for the first quarter of 2007 compared with $70 million for the same 3 months in 2006. "Profiteering," orchestrated "windfall profits?" What would you call it?
Residents, stunned and angered at first, are now organizing resistance to the hikes. On May 9, 2007, over 1,000 people from all across the state came together in Springfield and marched on the State Capitol. They marched with a singular purpose and a simple demand -- no rate hikes.
The effects of the march and the ongoing criticism remain to be seen. Ameren and ComEd appear undaunted. They still insist the hikes are necessary if they are to survive, and recently threatened to challenge the constitutionality of any legislative acts to turn rates back to 2006 levels. They seem confident the outcome will be in their interest as if they already have the lawmakers in their pockets.
Well, since January the actions of our representatives in Springfield are reminiscent of the Key Stone Cops. The governor claims it's a legislative matter and does nothing. The legislature entangles itself in a juggernaut of its own making, and nothing gets done. It's a fiasco. Meanwhile, the people of Illinois continue paying the higher rates. Hard to believe the legislative chaos in Springfield isn't by design, isn't chicanery.
We've heard the political speeches and seen the photo ops. We've read the quotes of empathy. Meanwhile $2.3 billion a year continues to be siphoned out of our pockets and into the already deep pockets of the corporate stockholders of Ameren and ComEd.
Jobs being lost, poverty deepening, health care in trouble, schools in trouble, gas over $3 a gallon, and now our utility bills doubled and tripled. When is enough, enough?
We the people are living in an economic crisis of our own down here on earth and could use a little "economic feasibility" ourselves, a little "cost effectiveness." We the people built every thing in this State except big bank accounts.
Use "Eminent Domain" based on the "common good," relieve Ameren and ComEd of all corporate holdings in Illinois and turn them into public property. It's a step in the right direction.
Not legal? Really? Too radical? Why? Wal-Mart now has the "right," and has successfully used it with help from government, to seize privately owned property for its "private" use and gain. And this in the name of the "Common Good."
Let's keep the pressure on. Let's increase it.
