ComEd customers are the rightful recipients of the $200 million fine that is to be paid by the utility company said State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), who is a chief co-sponsor of Senate Resolution 1290, which urges the U.S. Congress to distribute the fine to ratepayers.
ComEd is paying the $200 million criminal fine as part of a federal investigation into a years-long bribery scheme, in which they benefited from legislation in exchange for providing jobs, contracts, and payments to associates of Speaker Mike Madigan.
Deposited in the federal treasury, Congress has the ability to direct where those funds are sent. Under SR 1290, Sen. DeWitte and his Republican colleagues urge Congress to either return the fine to Illinois ratepayers through direct payments or by directing the funds to the Illinois Commerce Commission for distribution to ratepayers.
“It is only appropriate that these funds be paid directly to Illinois ratepayers, who ultimately paid for ComEd’s illegal activity,” said Sen. DeWitte. “It only makes sense that this fine goes to the individuals who were impacted the most by this corruption.”
Copies of Senate Resolution 1290 will be delivered to the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, the U.S. Senate Minority Leader, the U.S. Speaker of the House, the U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader, and all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.