Co-op voices in Springfield and D.C.

Co-op voices in Springfield and D.C.

Electric cooperative leaders, employees and advocates from across the state gathered April 14 at the Illinois State Capitol for Lobby Day, hosted by the AIEC. Later that month, co-op leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., April 26-29, for NRECA's Legislative Conference to address Congress.

The annual events provide an opportunity for cooperative representatives to meet with elected officials to discuss key energy issues affecting rural Illinois.

Lobby Day began with the presentation of a gold hard hat to Jay Hoffman, Assistant Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives. In 2004, he received the Public Service Award, and he was recognized again for all his support of the rural electric cooperative program over the years.

"Thank you for what you do and the energy you provide," Hoffman said to Illinois electric cooperative leaders. "I would not have any idea of the complexities of [electric industry] issues if you didn't come explain them to me."

Participants went on to the Capitol to thank lawmakers for their engagement during last year's energy omnibus bill discussions, emphasizing that their leadership helped ensure electric co-op members had a voice in shaping policy.

During meetings with legislators, cooperative representatives outlined several priority issues, including the opposition of House Bill 3762, which would impose additional costs and operational constraints, and the support of House Bill 5195, which would create the Illinois Future of Energy Choice and Economic Impact Commission to bring together industry stakeholders and state agencies to address emerging energy challenges.

Reliability concerns were also a central focus of Lobby Day, as cooperative leaders warned about the premature retirement of always-available baseload generation resources and the risk it poses to grid stability.

Throughout the day, cooperative representatives reinforced their commitment to the member-owners they serve, urging policymakers to consider the real-world impacts of legislation on reliability and affordability.

The Legislative Conference in D.C. focused on the top federal issues affecting co-ops and provided strategies for how to engage effectively with members of Congress and agency officials. Primary topics discussed included the following:

• Pass FEMA reform. NRECA supports the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act, which would streamline the agency and dramatically speed up delivery of crucial disaster relief funds to electric cooperatives devastated by natural disasters.
• Pass permitting reform legislation. This would help protect affordable power nationwide by reducing delays for co-ops seeking federal approval to make crucial improvements to their systems.
• Increase funding for the Rural Utilities Service Electric Loan Program. This essential program helps electric cooperatives pay for construction, improvement and modernization of their systems. Co-ops are asking Congress to continue to boost funding and urging RUS to raise its loan cap to help meet demand for the popular program.

Thank you to everyone who made both events a success.

More Lobby Day photos: AIE 26 - Lobby Day - AIECphoto

More Legislative Conference photos: AIE_2026_Legislative-Conference - AIECphoto