Energy – Fracking
Fracking rules approved; jobs and opportunity coming to Southern Illinois. The rules, from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR), are a legally essential element for engineering teams to enter Illinois properties and drill for fossil fuels. Up until now, Illinois has not had rules or a permit structure in place to cover horizontal drilling in sedimentary beds of shale rock. A newly-invented segment of oil drilling technology, “fracking,” has sprung up to puncture these tightly-bound particles of rock and force them to yield their crude oil and natural gas. A significant deposit of New Albany shale, believed to be oil-rich, lies underneath many counties of southeastern Illinois.

Tim Schmitz, a fourth generation resident of Kane County and lifelong resident of Batavia fostered his commitment to public service from an early age. Tim has served on the Batavia Plan Commission, as an Alderman and was a Policy Analyst for the Illinois House of Representatives.

Tim received his degree in Public Administration and Political Science from Augustana College where he met his wife, Julianne. Tim and Julianne reside in Batavia with their children, Alex and Ryan. In addition to the commitments of being a husband, father, and State Representative, Tim remains a firefighter and emergency medical technician, a position he has held since 1984. Tim is a recipient of the Red Cross’ Hometown Heroes award, and in 2005 received the Fireman of the Year award. Read more about Rep. Schmitz.

News From Rep. Schmitz
Current Legislation Sponsored by Schmitz
Rep. Schmitz's Committees
Rep. Schmitz's District

Concerned that hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans will be saddled with artificially high power prices and unsustainable debt for decades, State Representative Tim Schmitz sent a letter to the Attorney General urging her to investigate Prairie State Energy Campus (PSEC).

PSEC was marketed to communities and coorperatives as a secure low cost source of electricity but its customers have been paying exorbitant rates.  Read more about his efforts.

With two days left until the end of session we're changing things up a bit on the blog. Several members will be adding their voice to our live blog coverage, specifically on budget bills. Reps. Tim Schmitz, Darlene Senger & Norine Hammond will provide their insight and knowledge to staff's reporting.

Session starts today at 11 a.m. and we'll be providing the highlights, here.