Progress continues in critical upgrade of Chicago’s natural gas delivery system

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CHICAGO — The Peoples Gas program to modernize Chicago’s antiquated natural gas delivery system continued its steady progress in the fourth quarter of 2022. Data from the quarter, and for all of 2022, has been reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission as part of the commission’s extensive oversight of the Safety Modernization Program.

Under the Safety Modernization Program, Peoples Gas is replacing corroding iron pipes — which date back as far as the 1800s — with modern pipeline. The program is on budget, as it has been since 2015 when the current owners of Peoples Gas started managing the company. And the progress of work in the 30year program spanning every Chicago neighborhood is on schedule. Key 2022 metrics include: 95 miles of new gas main installed. 11,500 gas meters moved from inside homes to outside.

Work on the program, overall, is now 35% complete. Safety Modernization Program

An independent engineering study ordered by the State of Illinois found more than 80% of the iron natural gas pipes beneath Chicago’s streets have an average remaining life of less than 15 years. Many of the pipes are from the 1800s.

The Safety Modernization Program is a mandatory safety initiative. It also is crucial for the reliable delivery of energy to keep Chicagoans warm, to replace pipes that harm the environment by leaking methane, and to position Chicago for a clean energy future in which renewable natural gas and hydrogen may someday heat our homes and fuel the economy.

Peoples Gas plans to modernize the natural gas delivery system in every Chicago neighborhood. In 2022, work was done across 17 neighborhoods and 135 individual work sites.

HUNTER: PROPOSED BUDGET INVESTS IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address on Wednesday:

“I am pleased to see the proposed budget recommends further funding for our state’s health and human services programs. We have done a lot of work to improve equity in the health care sector, and I remain committed as this work continues.

“We must continue to make it affordable to live, go to school and work in our state. Increased access to affordable housing and services that focus on ending and preventing homelessness should be top priorities. The communities I represent are in need of this type of support, and I am glad to see a new $350 million investment in crisis response, expanded housing assistance and increased job opportunities for people without housing.

“Working families will surely benefit from affordable and expanded child care options, providing them with flexibility and support in their day-to-day lives. No parent should have to decide between caring for their family or making a living.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to negotiate a budget that addresses these key issues while ensuring the needs of our communities are met, especially those with limited resources.”

Foster Introduces Resolution To Honor Henry Pratt Shooting Victims

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a House resolution to honor the victims of the mass shooting that took place at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois on February 15, 2019.

Five innocent people were killed and six police officers were injured when a shooter who was illegally in possession of a firearm opened fire at the Henry Pratt Company warehouse in Aurora.

The House resolution honors the memory of the victims – Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton “Clay” Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner – who were killed. It also recognizes the service of the Aurora Police officers – Adam Miller, Marco Gomez, John Cebulski, James Zegar, Reynaldo Rivera, and Diego Avila – who were injured responding to the shooting.

“On February 15, 2019, five members of the Aurora community were taken far too soon in a senseless act of gun violence. It’s hard to believe it has been nearly four years since this tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victims’ friends and families during this difficult time of remembrance,” said Foster. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution to honor the victims’ memories and the courage of the police officers who rushed into danger to protect innocent people, six of whom were injured in the shooting. We cannot forget the events of that day, and we must remain committed to putting an end to these tragedies once and for all.”

Full text of the House resolution is available here: https://foster.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/foster.house. gov/files/evo-media-document/foster_009_xml.pdf

The resolution is cosponsored by the entire Illinois Democratic House delegation: Reps. Lauren Underwood, Sean Casten, Danny Davis, Robin Kelly, Brad Schneider, Mike Quigley, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jan Schakowsky, Jesús “Chuy” García, Nikki Budzinski, Jonathan Jackson, Delia Ramirez and Eric Sorensen.