ComEd puts profit over compassion

ComEd handed out Christmas bonuses to members of the Illinois General Assembly for their votes to override Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of the “smart grid” proposal. The legislation opens the door for yearly utility rate hikes for the alleged purpose of improving service reliability. In two years, ComEd may also freely dispose of the 2.5 percent cap on rate increases — likely imposing even higher rates on consumers.

ComEd’s greed is insatiable. The steep rate hikes are not enough. Scrooge wants money from Tiny Tim. Sick consumers may currently postpone disconnection for two consecutive 30-day periods, if the consumer obtains a medical notice from a physician and agrees to enter into a payment plan. There’s a catch though — consumers must continue to pay their bills. ComEd recently denied my ill, disabled client’s request for an additional 30-day medical reprieve because of her failure to stay current on her bills.

This policy is antithetical to the need for a medical extension and the reality of the consumer’s ability to keep an account current. ComEd’s internal corporate policy is not only unethical but violates Illinois law. ComEd, show compassion this holiday season and give sick consumers a true reprieve from paying bills.

Patrick Keenan-Devlin

Evanston

Health Justice Project

Loyola University Chicago School of Law