Franks looking for compromise on tree trimming

SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, says he's looking for a compromise on a plan that would make it easier for utility companies like ComEd to trim trees away from power lines and try to avoid long-term power outages like what hit the suburbs last year.

Franks' legislation, originally written last year, raised some eyebrows because the proposal appeared to let utilities take out whole trees, instead of just branches that could fall on lines.

Franks said that's not what he wants, and he's working with opponents like the Illinois Municipal League to forge a compromise. He declined calling the plan for a vote on Tuesday.

“Certainly, I don't want to have clear-cutting,” he said. “That's not the idea at all.”

Still, Franks said he wants to keep looking for some solution to try to prevent as many storm-related outages as possible.

“People were really affected,” he said.

ComEd took heat last year for their response to the summer storm, leading to several hearings throughout the suburbs.