By Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – Illinois lawmakers have adjourned their fall session without a deal that would prevent higher electric bills from taking effect in January.
Ameren and Commonwealth Edison plan to hike rates between 25-55%.
Senators approved a plan that would phase in the rate hikes over three years, but the House never took it up.
House members voted down a plan to freeze rates for another three years. Chicago Democratic Senator Ira Silverstein says consumers are on the losing end: "We're going to leave here and we're going to blame everybody," Silverstein said. "We'll blame the House, we'll blame the republicans, we'll blame everyone under the sun. However, the people of the state of Illinois are sick of the blame."
Silverstein is among those asking the Governor to call a special legislative session to take up the issue.
So far the governor's remained mum about if he will do that or not.