May 5, 2013

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate,

98th General Assembly:

In accordance with Article IV, Section 9(b), of the Illinois Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 9 from the 98th General Assembly.

I cannot support legislation that puts the profits of big electric utilities ahead of the families and businesses of Illinois.

Senate Bill 9 continues a troubling pattern of departing from more than a century of regulatory oversight of utility company monopolies in our state.

It is not healthy for big utilities to be able to continuously circumvent the well-established oversight of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) each and every time they do not receive the regulation decisions and rate hikes they desire. This measure is another attempt to do just that.

The ICC has existed for more than 100 years to effectively regulate utility companies and protect Illinois consumers. Senate Bill 9 further undercuts the ability of the ICC to do its job.

To approve this measure would endorse unprecedented legislative interference in a process that is, by law, committed to professional experts.

Our State regulates electric utilities to protect consumers and businesses from higher energy bills and unfair utility costs, and for good reason. When the residents of Illinois pay their utility bills, they expect those payments to ensure reliable and affordable service.

This legislation undermines the state’s ability to meet those expectations, and I will not support it.

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I return Senate Bill 9 to the Illinois Senate, entitled “AN ACT concerning regulation.”, with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

PAT QUINN

Governor