IL lawmakers could address energy prices, transit, taxes during veto session

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session begins Tuesday, and taxes are expected to be part of the conversation.

This year, legislators have proposed a number of different taxes to fund public transportation.

The revised regional transit fiscal cliff is estimated to be around $300 million, down from $770 million during the spring and summer.

State Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago, said nobody likes taxes.

“But I think everything is on the table right now. I just want to make sure we don’t burden working class and poor people more than we already have,” Preston told The Center Square.

When asked Friday at an unrelated event in Hickory Hills, Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not say if he would approve potential tax hikes.

Lawmakers may revisit a bill Pritzker vetoed. Senate Bill 246 would allow the state treasurer to set up an investment pool for nonprofits.

In his veto message, the governor said the measure would allow fringe and extremist groups to benefit from Illinois’ financial investments.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs disagreed and promised to discuss potential next steps with lawmakers.

“I strongly disagree with the governor’s misguided belief that hate groups would use a state investment pool,” Frerichs said in a statement provided to The Center Square in August.

Energy legislation is expected to be a top priority during veto session after lawmakers held hearings on various energy-related issues in recent weeks.

Pritzker blamed Illinois’ high energy prices on President Donald Trump removing taxpayer subsidies for solar and wind. He also pointed the finger at regional grid operators PJM and MISO.

“They are not bringing online those solar and wind projects that are already completed and ready to go,” Pritzker said.

The governor did not say whether he would consider relaxing the state’s decarbonization mandates which Republicans say have caused energy bills to rise across Illinois.

Preston said he wants the state to broaden its energy portfolio to include battery storage, but he expressed concern about the cost. Another line item on a utility bill could crush working-class people, he said.

“I am a hard ‘no’ as of right now on an energy omnibus until we can address the issue of raising rates on ratepayers and taxpayers,” Preston said.

The General Assembly is scheduled to meet this Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 14-16, and again Oct. 28-30.