Illinois

Local groups are working to keep both plants open. They are working with our state rep to Springfield, who is a repiggie of the worst sort. He will use the Byron plant to his political advantage. This rep. has a snotty personality.

The papers here reflect the redness of the area. They have been critical of Governor Pritzker's efforts to study the situation and to try to work with Exelon. We are experiencing a serious budget shortfall as it is, because of the pandemic.

I am not going to criticize Pritzker's proposed solution beyond saying that we need to see the full report.

Pritzker is accessible to Democrats and activists. He knows me by sight, if not by name. I may see him in August, or in October. If I get a chance, I will ask him about this redacted report.

Also, I discovered recently that they may be serious about closing the Byron plant this time. When they refueled, they only refueled at one-third of their usual level. This could indicate that they plan to stay open only a few more months. I checked this with a person who is a member of our central committee and retired from the plant. He thinks they mean to close. They are not bluffing this time.

There was local reporting about Pritzker's tentative plan to give financial support to Exelon. But as far as I know, the issue has not come up with our county board. They are busy moaning and groaning about Pritzker's criminal justice bill that was just signed into law. The county sheriff, who has politicized his job, is keeping them busy worrying about qualified immunity. Qualified immunity has not changed. It was discussed, but not included in this new law. I know this because I participated in a zoom meeting with the architects of the bill. The purpose of the meeting was to provide correct information about the law, because the cops and the republicans are trying to tear it down. Our county board has spent an inordinate amount of time worrying about this law. The loudmouth of a sheriff has met with them and asked them to write some new ordinances affirming their qualified immunity. I don't know how much authority they have to do this. But they are farting around with this instead of trying to figure out what, if anything, they can do about the Byron plant.

That is what you get if you have republicans running things. They may as well be the Keystone Cops. You can see why I don't post much. I keep busy with local and state issues.

I am glad you posted this story and the link. I am going to pass it on to some of the other Democrats in my county. We are trying to get attention in a nonpolitical way. We will stay informed and contact our lawmakers. If the plant closes, it will not matter what party we belong to. The job losses will harm us all.

You provide a useful service to DU by posting all the news from the various states. I never fail to read your posts.