HR0933 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0933 LRB095 18077 GRL 44777 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the owners and employees of Midwest Generation on the occasion of receiving the 2008 Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce "Salute to Industry" Award; and

WHEREAS, Midwest Generation is part of the Edison Mission Group, which owns and operates 40 power generation facilities in 13 states; the company owns 6 electric power stations in Illinois, with 2 stations in Will County, the Joliet Station and the Will County Station in Romeoville; the company employs 430 men and women in Will County; and

WHEREAS, Midwest Generation is a major contributor to the economy of Will County, providing more than $90 million in property taxes, payroll, employee benefits, area vendor purchases, and various projects in the communities it serves; the company and its employees also contribute greatly to many local organizations, including the United Way of Will County, Joliet Junior College, the Joliet YMCA, the Joliet Housing Authority, the Joliet Park Foundation, Joliet Township High School, the Joliet Township Fair, the Heartland Blood Center, The Spanish Center, Hill Memorial, and Cornerstone Services; and

WHEREAS, Since acquiring its Illinois facilities in 1999, Midwest Generation has maintained its status as a leader in environmental responsibility in power generation; the company spent nearly $50 million on new pollution controls shortly after its arrival in the State; in December of 2006, the company reached an agreement with the State of Illinois to spend an estimated $3.5 billion on additional pollution controls over a 10 year period, including one of the first mercury emission control programs in the United States; the company, along with their parent company EMG, also plans to build a large wind energy in LaSalle as an integral part of their wind energy initiative; and

WHEREAS, Midwest Generation will receive the "Salute to Industry" Award during a celebration dinner on February 11, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Joliet Hotel and Conference Center; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the owners and employees of Midwest Generation on the occasion of receiving the 2008 Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce "Salute to Industry" Award and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to a representative of Midwest Generation as a symbol of our esteem and respect.