Bill Status of HB0639  96th General Assembly

Short Description:  ICC-OPEN MEETINGS

House Sponsors
Rep. William B. Black

Last Action
DateChamber Action
  1/11/2011HouseSession Sine Die

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
5 ILCS 120/1.02from Ch. 102, par. 41.02
220 ILCS 5/9-201from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 9-201
220 ILCS 5/10-102from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 10-102


Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Open Meetings Act and the Public Utilities Act to provide that, for the purposes of the Illinois Commerce Commission only, "meeting" includes any gathering, whether in person or by video or audio conference, telephone call, electronic means (such as, without limitation, electronic mail, electronic chat, and instant messaging), or other means of contemporaneous interactive communication, of one or more members of the Illinois Commerce Commission and a representative of a public utility held for the purpose of discussing public business. Further amends the Public Utilities Act to require that the Attorney General and any interested consumer organizations, upon request, must be given the opportunity to present oral arguments on the propriety of any proposed rate or other charge, classification, contract, practice, rule, or regulation at a hearing on the matter.

House Committee Amendment No. 1
Deletes reference to:
5 ILCS 120/1.02from Ch. 102, par. 41.02
220 ILCS 5/10-102from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 10-102

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that no member of the Illinois Commerce Commission may discuss with any representative of a public utility any matter that the public utility is considering filing with the Commission pursuant to specified provisions. Provides that if a public utility makes a filing pursuant to specified provisions, then no communication concerning the filing is permitted until a notice of hearing of a formal hearing has been issued. Provides that after the notice of hearing has been issued, only communications concerning the filing that are permitted under specified provisions are permitted. Provides that the staff of the Commission and any party to a proceeding regarding the propriety of any proposed rate or other charge, classification, contract, practice, rule, or regulation must, upon request, be given the opportunity to present oral arguments in front of the Commission after the conclusion of the hearings.

House Committee Amendment No. 2
Provides except where compliance with specified provisions is of an urgent and immediate concern, no representative of a water, gas, or electric utility may discuss with a member of the Illinois Commerce Commission any matter pertaining to rates that a water, gas, or electric utility is considering filing with the Commission under specified provisions fewer than 30 days prior to the filing. Provides that the staff of the Commission or any party of record in a proceeding initiated under specified provisions who has submitted a post-hearing brief must be given the opportunity to present oral arguments on the propriety of any proposed rate or other charge, classification, contract, practice, rule, or regulation.

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  2/5/2009HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. William B. Black
  2/6/2009HouseFirst Reading
  2/6/2009HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  2/11/2009HouseAssigned to State Government Administration Committee
  2/19/2009HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by State Government Administration Committee
  2/19/2009HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in State Government Administration Committee; by Voice Vote
  2/19/2009HouseRemains in State Government Administration Committee
  3/11/2009HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by State Government Administration Committee
  3/11/2009HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 2 Adopted in State Government Administration Committee; by Voice Vote
  3/11/2009HouseRemains in State Government Administration Committee
  3/13/2009HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
  1/11/2011HouseSession Sine Die