Bill > SB3822

This bill amends the Public Utilities Act to prevent utility companies from passing certain expenses onto consumers through their rates and charges. Specifically, it prohibits the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) from considering as a recoverable expense any money a utility spends on political contributions to candidates, parties, or committees, or on efforts to influence referendums or elections. It also disallows contributions to trade associations, chambers of commerce, and public charities, even if managed by the utility itself or an affiliated company, from being considered a recoverable expense. The bill also clarifies that "goodwill or institutional advertising," which aims to improve a utility's public image or promote controversial issues, is no longer a recoverable expense. Furthermore, it designates donations made by utilities for public welfare or charitable, scientific, religious, or educational purposes as nonrecoverable expenses borne by shareholders, though donations for energy assistance remain allowable. Finally, the bill makes attorney and expert compensation for utilities in general rate case filings a nonrecoverable expense and modifies the Consumer Intervenor Compensation Fund, which helps pay for consumer representatives who participate in ICC proceedings, by clarifying that the money utilities contribute to this fund is also not a recoverable expense.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=3822&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104