SPRINGFIELD, IL– Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter (D–Chicago) today voted in favor of a measure that improves the Electric Grid Modernization bill, also known as the "Smart Grid" bill.  Hunter said that consumers will greatly benefit from the tightened restrictions on ComEd and Ameren. 

House Bill 3036 is a trailer bill to Senate Bill 1652, which was passed earlier this year but vetoed by Governor Pat Quinn.  Senator Hunter voted in favor of Senate 1652 but is pleased to see that consumer protection is more highlighted in the new measure.

"After the massive outages experienced in the Chicago-area earlier this year and seeing the success of Smart Grid technology in other areas in the nation, I believe that an update in the technology is desperately needed," Hunter said. 

Because fully upgrading to smart grid technology could take several years to complete, House Bill 3036 ensures that equal funding is provided maintaining current system upgrades.  Performance metrics in ComEd’s Northeastern Illinois region will also be enacted to reduce outages by 20 percent.  If performance metrics within the legislation are not achieved, utility companies will be penalized.  

"ComEd and Ameren also promised to create thousands of jobs, which will boost the economy," Hunter continued.  "The measure requires certain jobs be created to see this project through, but for every one of those jobs not created, the company will face a penalty of $6,000.  House Bill 3036 makes sure they keep their word or suffer financial loss." 

The measure passed the Senate and now moves to the House for further consideration.