Even though a Illiniois Commerce Commission judge has cut a proposed Ameren rate hike by more than half, there are two citizen groups who want to see the utility ask for nothing and actually cut rates by $6 million dollars. Officials with Citizens Utility Board and AARP rallied at Peoria Friendship House Monday prior to the ICC's April decision if it will allow Ameren to pass a $56 million dollar infrastructure improvement request. Mary Patton with the AARP says the figure is still ridiculous. Patton points out Ameren recorded profits of over $600 million in 2009, doubling it's revenue from the year before. State Representative Jehan Gordon also attended the function and urged the public to make their views known.
