Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan responds to Governor Quinn’s veto of Senate Bill 9 (Smart Grid legislation)

With Illinois’ unemployment rate still one of the highest in the nation, the AFL-CIO is extremely disappointed that Governor Quinn would veto Senate Bill 9, which will create thousands of stable, good-paying jobs, strengthen our workforce and attract major investment to our state.

Senate Bill 9 would ensure that the Smart Grid program has the necessary funding to be completed. The project to update Illinois’ dated electrical infrastructure has already created more than 2,400 full-time jobs in Illinois and provided an economic boost to our manufacturers, suppliers and service companies.  Local companies are ready to expand and hire more workers to participate in the Smart Grid project.

This veto places future jobs and economic benefits in jeopardy, negatively impacting Illinois workers and businesses around our state.  

Our 900,000 members across the state now urge the General Assembly to continue its support of Smart Grid and override the veto of Senate Bill 9.    Illinois workers need this bill enacted into law.   As we work to rebuild our economy, it’s essential the Smart Grid program is completed.