Waukegan power vote set for March ballot

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Power lines in Lake County. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 8, 2012 1:15AM

WAUKEGAN — A possible laundry list of county municipalities seeking voter approval to bid for alternate electrical suppliers will include Waukegan after the City Council authorized a referendum question this week.

Following the lead of Grayslake and other communities across the state that have implemented “electrical aggregation,” Waukegan is aiming for the lower residential and commercial rates touted by supporters of the concept, which allows customers to either stick with ComEd or opt out for another supplier.

Noelle Kischer-Lepper, the city’s director of policy and projects, said a successful referendum would authorize the city “to look at rates and other arrangements” that could save money for customers.

“This would let the voters decide if we should look at the options that are out there and go out for bid on suppliers,” Kischer-Lepper said. “It wouldn’t require us to do anything, but it allows us to.”

Kischer-Lepper added that “at least a few other communities in Lake County” are planning to put their own electrical aggregation referendum on the March 20 primary ballot, and Lake County officials reportedly are exploring a question of their own for the Nov. 6 general election.

In April, Grayslake voters approved the concept with 80.3 percent of 1,995 votes cast, while North Chicago voters rejected it with 53.8 percent of 446 total votes.

Grayslake subsequently joined a regional pool with Lincolnwood and Oak Park, and approved a deal with Chicago-based Integrys Energy Services in October that village officials say will feature rates 30 percent lower than ComEd.

The two-year pact in Grayslake — which reportedly will save customers a total of $4 million over two years — goes into effect Jan. 1.

In Waukegan, the council voted 7-1 to pursue a referendum, with Mayor Robert Sabonjian saying, “I think (aggregation) can be a benefit if the questions are answered right and safeguards are in place.”

Sabonjian added that among the questions he has have to do with what kind of local oversight would be in place, and what the long-term effect would be on rates.

Sixth Ward Ald. Larry TenPas cast the sole vote against authorizing the referendum, saying he’s concerned that “we’ll end up paying more” after a certain period of time.

“We are going to be cautious on this,” Sabonjian said. “We’re going to give the voters a chance to weigh in on it.”