ComEd addresses past corruption, current power needs at city meeting

A "Danger" sign is seen amongst power transmission towers and lines July 18, 2006 in Morton Grove, Illinois. Photo credit (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

By Craig Dellimore

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Commonwealth Edison and Chicago city officials agree the electric utility company seems ready for the summer peak demand for power, but there were still some concerns expressed at a City Council hearing.

CEO Gil Quiñones told members of the Environment Committee that ComEd has put safeguards in place in the wake of the federal bribery probe involving ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Quiñones said the company is committed to making sure nothing like that ever happens again.

Then there was the issue of energy distribution.

Sandra Blakemore, an official with the Lightfoot Administration, said ComEd has greatly improved its reliability and appears prepared for summer.

But 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata raised concerns that the 10th and 18th Wards had longer and more frequent power outages last year, compared with the rest of Chicago.

ComEd Chief Engineer Michelle Blaise said weather played a big role, as did equipment damage. She said the utility is working on corrective measures.

The city of Chicago and ComEd still have not worked out a new franchise agreement.