Politics & Government

Officials Spreading Word on Upcoming Electrical Referendum

Officials are asking for the authority to negotiate better electric rates for residents.

officials are urging residents to vote in favor of a referendum which will appear on the March ballot to aggregate electricity.

Through the Illinois Power Agency Act, municipalities can negotiate power supply agreements for their respective residents and small businesses with voter approval.

Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar told attendees during last week’s State of the Village address more than 20 cities are participating in the consortium to get better electric rates.

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“Everybody should benefit from the bulk purchase of electric needs,” he said.

Claar said the effort could help residents save from 10 and 15 percent on their monthly electric bill.

Find out what's happening in Bolingbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The issue will be presented to Bolingbrook voters during the March 20, 2012 primary election. The question will be: "Shall the Village of Bolingbrook have the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program? Yes or no."

If the measure passes residents will have the ability to opt out, Claar said.

If residents want to vote only for the referendum, Claar said, they can do so by asking for a non-partisan ballot.

“The village and I encourage everyone to vote yes,” he said.

Other Illinois municipalities that have passed referendums allowing them to seek out lower rates include Crest Hill, Fox River Grove, Glenwood, Harvard, New Lenox, Sugar Grove, Elburn and North Aurora.


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