HB 639

Abstract

Amends the Open Meetings Act and the Public Utilities Act to provide that, for the purposes of the Illinois Commerce Commission only, "meeting" includes any gathering, whether in person or by video or audio conference, telephone call, electronic means (such as, without limitation, electronic mail, electronic chat, and instant messaging), or other means of contemporaneous interactive communication, of one or more members of the Illinois Commerce Commission and a representative of a public utility held for the purpose of discussing public business. Further amends the Public Utilities Act to require that the Attorney General and any interested consumer organizations, upon request, must be given the opportunity to present oral arguments on the propriety of any proposed rate or other charge, classification, contract, practice, rule, or regulation at a hearing on the matter.