Prairie Public Broadcasting

Blagojevich signs electric rate relief but says it's not enough DUQUOIN, ILL. (St. Louis Public Radio) - Governor Rod Blagojevich says the $1 billion relief package he signed
into law Tuesday doesn't go far enough but it's better than nothing.

The measure is aimed at soaring electric rates, and it ends a yearlong tug of war between the needs of consumers and power companies.

The package softens the blow consumers felt from rates that spiked at the beginning of the year, following a 10-year rate freeze. It rolls back about half of those increases through rebate checks to Ameren customers, ensuring all of them at least $100.

And ComEd customers will get bill credits.

The governor calls it a "good step forward" but says it isn't a perfect solution.

The plan doesn't block rates from rising again over the next several years.
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