DeKalb Times

In a July 29 Facebook post, Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) shared new legislation sponsored by Senate Republicans.

"As electric bills soar for customers across the state, Senate Republicans filed a new legislative package this week seeking to address Illinois' energy problems," Syverson posted.

Syverson shared a link to a newsletter that had more information about the Senate's work to reduce electric bills for Illinois residents. Syverson is cosponsoring a three-piece legislative package – Senate Bills 4215, 4216 and 4217 – that its sponsors hope will prevent utility price spikes and/or rolling blackouts by securing Illinois' energy-producing capabilities. 

Senate Bill 4215 would repeal the 2045 closure date for coal and natural gas power plants under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) of 2021. The legislation allows companies to build new gas "peaker" plants – which run only when there is a high demand for electricity – without the possibility of a forced closure. 

Senate Bill 4216 would create a Power Grid Task Force to study the effect of state laws on energy prices and grid reliability.

Senate Bill 4217 would expedite the state permitting process for new power plants to come online.

In his July 22 Week in Review, Syverson reported scams that Ameren energy is warning customers about. Customers have reported being contacted and asked to pay their bill via a pre-paid money card or through a mobile phone money transfer app like Zelle or Venmo. Utility companies would never request payment through gift or money cards or through an app.

Syverson was recently named a Champion of Free Enterprise by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for his work to help businesses. "It is an honor to know my efforts on behalf of the job creators in northern Illinois have been rated so highly by the Illinois Chamber," Syverson said in a June 17 news release.