Kendall County Times

On Aug. 11, State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to veto bipartisan legislation aimed at enhancing Illinois’ sustainable and cost-effective energy portfolio. Rezin argues that the governor’s actions prioritize his own political ambitions over the state’s energy needs, and said that she has taken steps to override the veto during the upcoming Veto Session in the fall. 

"The governor is clearly putting his own partisan political ambitions over what is in the best interest of the people of Illinois by his sole decision to veto bi-partisan legislation to improve Illinois’ future energy portfolio sustainably and cost-effectively," Sen. Rezin said in a statement, according to WAND News. "Creating a sustainable energy future for our children and our children’s children is not a zero-sum game. We must take advantage of the massive advancements in nuclear technology if we truly want to reach a carbon-free future."

Gov. Pritzker vetoed legislation on Aug. 11 aimed at lifting the state’s moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants, according to Energy News. The legislation, which would have allowed the development of advanced nuclear reactors such as Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs), had passed with bipartisan support in May but faced opposition from anti-nuclear activists and clean energy groups who argued that other renewable sources could meet the state’s energy needs more effectively.

The bill passed in the Senate on a count of 36-14 and in the House 84-22.

Energy bills for Ameren customers in southern Illinois doubled in early 2022 and blackouts increased after Pritzker signed legislation creating shortfalls in energy production. “Some grid operators blamed coal plant retirements, pointed to state policy changes like Illinois’ nation-leading Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, and promoted fossil fuels as a reliability solution,” Meghan Hassett, Midwest Campaign Manager for the Center for Policy Advocacy, posted in a blog for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Notably, the first nuclear power reactor was constructed in a squash court under the University of Chicago football stadium, according to UChicago News. Named “Chicago Pile-1,” this initial human-created nuclear reactor initiated a series of events that reshaped global politics, led to nuclear energy production, opened new realms of scientific inquiry and influenced key aspects of modern society, from weaponry to medicine.