Chambana Sun

Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose has criticized recent energy legislation passed by Governor J.B. Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers, questioning the promise that the new bill will lower electricity costs for residents.

“Well Pritzker and the Democrats just passed a bill to ‘make your power bill cheaper’. But let’s be honest — who really believes that anymore?” Rose stated.

He pointed out that similar promises have been made in the past regarding “clean energy” bills, but according to him, electricity rates have continued to rise. “We’ve heard this before. Every time they’ve passed one of these so-called ‘clean energy’ bills, they’ve promised us it would save money. And every single time, our bills went up. Don’t take my word for it, look at your own electric bill,” he said.

Rose cited figures showing that in 2019, electricity cost about 8.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to approximately 23 cents during summer months today. He attributes part of this increase to state taxes, fees, and clean energy mandates included in utility bills: “Those lines at the bottom of the back page that are impossible to read is where the state has packed in all its taxes, fees, and clean energy mandates. Right now, those make up about 13 to 18 percent of your electric bill. Think about that. In a ‘deregulated’ state, nearly a fifth of what you pay each month is because of government mandates.”

He further added: “So, the next time you open your electric bill and wonder why it’s so high, remember this: it’s not your utility company — it’s Pritzker and the Democrats in Springfield.”

Rose concluded his remarks with skepticism about future savings from new legislation: “Because when they tell you this new bill will save you money, just ask yourself the same question I do… Who really believes that anymore?”

Chapin Rose has served as a Republican member of the Illinois State Senate since 2013 representing the state's 51st Senate District after replacing Kyle McCarter.

The full video statement can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BVCc1V9jN/