In The News....

Utility rate hike request must be rejected

BY STATE REP. JOHN BRADLEY, Southern Illinoisan Editorial

Since January 2006, I, other local citizens, the Citizens Utility Board and AARP have attempted to address the pending and eventual rate crisis - a rate crisis born out of the deregulation of the electric utility industry resulting from legislation drafted in 1997, some six years before I began serving in the General Assembly. Yet our efforts were not enough to stop Ameren's rate hike and the people suffered.

With this suffering in mind, I was shocked when a recent letter sent to this paper suggested that Ameren's customers were not victims of the utility giant. Local utility consumers were, are and will continue to be victims unless the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) steps in and rejects Ameren's recent request for a rate increase... (Continued)

4/23/08

Bradley wants special commission on poverty

BY CODELL RODRIGUEZ, The Southern

MARION — Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, is working with other legislators to create a special commission in the Illinois Senate on poverty elimination.

The measure follows a report issued by Heartland Alliance’s Mid-America Institute that indicates an increase in the number of people living in poverty throughout the state. According to the report, 12.3 percent of Illinois residents are below the poverty line, one third of those being children. Hamilton and Williamson Counties have a poverty rate of 10 to 14.9 percent and Franklin County has 15 percent.

4/22/08

Local preacher leads prayer before the Illinois House

By Bob Ellis, Staff Writer

4/15/08

Quinn: Senate must push recall measure

GEOFFREY RITTER

WILLIAMSON COUNTY -- Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn pressed for Illinois lawmakers to pass a recall amendment to the Illinois Constitution Tuesday during a stop in Marion, saying the move would go a long way toward keeping each elected official "on his toes in Springfield."

During his stop at the Williamson County Regional Airport, Quinn said the proposal, which passed last week in the House with the support of Rep. John Bradley, needs to be pushed through the Senate by May 4 so it can be put on the Nov. 4 ballot.

12/11/07

Plan could put slots at horse tracks, more seats at casinos

By Kevin McDermott, Lee Wire services

Anti-gambling critics have said gaming expansion could lead to increases in gambling-related social problems. Activists are especially concerned about the possibility of Internet betting on horse racing, which is something the new plan could ultimately usher in with language that would allow "advance deposit wagering" accounts at the tracks.

Under the plan, as presented Monday, 2 percent of the new revenue from the Fairmount Park slot machines would go for local municipality needs, with another 1.5 percent each to Madison and St. Clair counties for criminal justice and health care costs.

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, acknowledged the state needs the money. But he is among those opposed to an expansion of gambling.

"It's a bad economic policy for the state. We're going to turn the state of Illinois into New Jersey," Bradley said.

12/10/07

Bradley announces formation of citizen advisory committees
West Frankfort Daily American

As the end of 2007 approaches, state Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) announced late last week that he has begun forming his 2008 Citizen Advisory Committees to facilitate discussions with local residents about what issues are currently important to them and the district.

“While some of the issues facing our communities stay the same, many change over time,” Bradley said. “These advisory committees are essential to keeping me up to date on what is going on across the district and to developing comprehensive, common-sense solutions.”

12/6/07

State lawmakers still pushing for replacement of coal funds

BY ADAM TESTA, The Southern

The governor's recent raiding of funds has emptied the state's Coal Development Fund and Southern Illinois legislators believe the money won't be seen again this year.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich used $10.2 million from the coal fund as part of a $27 million bailout of the Chicago Transit Authority and the Regional Transit Authority in the Chicago area last month.

With a final site selection announcement expected Dec. 17, no Southern Illinois legislators could speculate on possible effects the fund reallocations could have on Illinois' chances. State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, asked, "Why do anything that could potentially jeopardize our chances?"

12/3/07

Revised rate design for Ameren now in effect

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

Those all-electric or space-heater customers of AmerenCIPS can expect to see a cash savings this winter when they receive their electric bills from the utility.

Spokeswoman Erica Abbett said Friday that a revised rate formula is structured to more evenly distribute increases that took effect in January.

In related news, State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said earlier this week that he would push to strip the ICC of its power to regulate utilities if its members approve another rate increase for Ameren.

11/30/07 

Blagojevich again threatens daily special sessions

  BY DOUG FINKE , GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

"I'm all for a capital bill, but the idea that the only way you get that is to turn Illinois into Las Vegas, I think that's a bad policy for the state and a horrible legacy," said Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, after House Democrats were briefed on the outline of a gambling-expansion plan that includes a Chicago casino, a new riverboat casino and expansion of existing casinos.

11/29/07

House's next major issue

By Amber Fijolek, Daily Egyptian

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said he thinks the House's next major issue should be restoring money cut from the 2008 budget by Blagojevich to expand healthcare. Blagojevich redirected $500 million from the annual spending plan in August, which left many "pork projects" without state support. Some of those projects would be applicable for support from the capital construction plan.

Bradley said restoring the money could resolve multiple issues the House is facing. Such issues include restoring money for projects originally in the budget that may be included in capital construction, continued talks of supporting the CTA and a potential energy rate increase brought up by Ameren.

11/26/07

Lawmaker warns ICC against Ameren rate hike

By Mike Riopell, Pantagraph

SPRINGFIELD — A southern Illinois lawmaker said he wants to strip the Illinois Commerce Commission of its power to regulate utilities if its members approve another rate increase for Ameren.

State Rep. John Bradley’s proposal comes as Ameren is requesting an 8.6 percent increase in its delivery charge for customers, depending on where they live.

Utility rate hike request must be rejected

BY STATE REP. JOHN BRADLEY, Southern

Since January 2006, I, other local citizens, the Citizens Utility Board and AARP have attempted to address the pending and eventual rate crisis - a rate crisis born out of the deregulation of the electric utility industry resulting from legislation drafted in 1997, some six years before I began serving in the General Assembly. Yet our efforts were not enough to stop Ameren's rate hike and the people suffered.

With this suffering in mind, I was shocked when a recent letter sent to this paper suggested that Ameren's customers were not victims of the utility giant. Local utility consumers were, are and will continue to be victims unless the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) steps in and rejects Ameren's recent request for a rate increase... (Continued)

9/23/07

Region ahead of the game in responding to elder abuse

BY JOHN D. HOMANTHE SOUTHERN

5/1/07

Rally for electric rate relief planned for Springfield

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

A POWER (People Organized and Working for Electric Relief) rally at the statehouse in Springfield has been planned for May 9 to protest electric rate increases.

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, made the announcement Monday morning at the Marion Senior Citizens Center. He was joined by local mayors, business owners and concerned citizens.