SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) released the following statement after the passage of Senate Bill 2048:

“This legislation will make Illinois a leader on reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change. It makes the largest investment in renewable energy in state history, holds utility providers accountable for ethical failures, and requires state officials to disclose whether their families are employed by utility providers.

“Utility bills should only charge for delivery of services, not to recover legal fees or pay out lavish severance packages for bad actors. As chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, I am pleased that we are formally empowering the Illinois Commerce Commission to investigate whether ComEd misused ratepayer funds and to return those funds directly to ratepayers.

“Climate change remains the greatest threat to our state, and I am proud to have supported this vital legislation.”