PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The energy bill lawmakers are hoping to pass may not reach the finish line in October according to State Sen. Dave Koehler on Saturday’s On the Record.
The aptly named fall veto session allows lawmakers to revisit bills that were vetoed by Gov. JB Pritzker. It’s also a time to pass bills that failed to move during the spring legislative session.
That includes the energy bill, which would allow large modular nuclear reactors to be built in Illinois and invest in energy storage.
"If it doesn’t happen, then it could come back in January, and we could decide then. But I think it’s very important that we do pass an energy bill that contains battery storage," the Peoria Democrat said.
Energy has become a focus for lawmakers, as a potential grid capacity crisis in the next few years looms over the state, according to Senate leadership.
Utility bills have also increased significantly over the summer. Koehler said having a place to store energy for a time when it would be needed would help reduce the state’s looming energy crisis.
"That’s why battery storage is so important," he said. "We have enough solar energy that has not been hooked up into the grid at this point that we could have offset all that. You need battery storage. You need interconnection."
Other issues discussed with the Peoria Democrat include how Chicago transit funding could affect Peoria. The Windy City’s public transportation system is facing a $770 million fiscal cliff according to lawmakers. Without additional funding, thousands could lose their jobs.
A proposal to fund Chicago transit failed to pass the House, as their main method of funding was through a statewide flat $1.50 tax on all non-medical and grocery deliveries.
Now the discussion led by lawmakers isn’t just about Chicago transit, but transit across Illinois. Koehler said this could be an opportunity for the Peoria area to expand their public transportation systems.
"Transit is important because it allows students to get to school, it allows people to get to work, people to go to the doctor’s appointments," he said. "We’ve got to have a viable transit system in our communities."
"So, we have negotiated that as a piece of this. If you expect us to help you, you have to help us. Peoria is the only major metropolitan area in Illinois that does not have a train to Chicago. That’s an important part of this as well."
Koehler will be hosting a town hall with Peoria Mayor Rita Ali at City Hall on Monday at 6 p.m.
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September 29, 2025 at 04:41PM
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