Wait Votes to Reinstate Electric Rate Freeze

March 6, 2007

Springfield…State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) again supported efforts to reinstate a freeze of skyrocketing electric rates.  If HB1750 passes the Senate and is signed by the governor, rates would be rolled back to levels similar to those seen by residents last year.

“Residents need and deserve relief from unbearably high electric rates,” Wait said.  “I voted to protect the piece of mind and pocketbooks of Northern Illinois families when we were faced with skyrocketing electric rates late last year and I voted again today to provide affordable power.  People should not have to choose between food or medicine and electricity.”

The rate freeze legislation passed the House of Representatives 92-5 with nineteen representatives abstaining from the vote.  The bill will now advance to the Senate for consideration.

“The time is now for the governor, Speaker Madigan, and Senate President Jones to sit down, put aside their differences, and begin negotiating to implement a short-term plan to provide immediate relief to hard-hit residents while developing a long-term solution to our electric rate crisis,” Wait said.