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Death threat against lawmakers spurred by electric rate hike
BY JIM MUIR, THE SOUTHERN
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:00 PM CDT
SPRINGFIELD - State police confirmed on Tuesday that an investigation is underway concerning an alleged death threat made against state Sen. Gary Forby and Senate President Emil Jones that was apparently inspired by the lack of relief from recent electric rate increases.

Scott Compton, a spokesperson with the state police in Springfield, said nobody is in custody but said interviews are underway.

Compton said the investigation is "ongoing" and that some individuals have been interviewed more than once.

"Right now we're still in the process of trying to determine what, if anything, did take place," Compton said.

State police are working in cooperation with law enforcement officials in Franklin and Sangamon counties, Compton said. He said when the state police investigation is completed the information will then be forwarded to both state's attorneys and a decision will be made whether to file charges.

Compton would not say if there is a suspect in the case or how the alleged threat was made.

Forby, D-Benton, and Jones, D-Chicago, have emerged as two of the key lawmakers in the continuing effort by Springfield lawmakers to find a solution to skyrocketing electric costs. A 10-year rate freeze was lifted on Jan. 1 and some consumers throughout the state reported 200 to 300 percent increases. The southernmost part of the state covered by Ameren has been particularly hard hit.

The two lawmakers were at the forefront of a raucous Senate session last Friday when Jones quashed Forby's legislation to grant Commonwealth Edison customers a one-year rate freeze by using a rarely used parliamentary procedure that stalled the effort. Although Forby called Jones' effort "ridiculous," the two left the floor making high fives and slapping each other on the back.

Forby declined to comment while Jones spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer said Tuesday she was unaware of the investigation.

writeon1@shawneelink.net

618-625-2006

CORRECTION:

A Wednesday article about threats against state lawmakers included incorrect information added during editing, not by reporter Jim Muir. During a Friday legislative session over electric rates, statehouse reporters said state Senator Gary Forby walked to the desk of Senate President Emil Jones, where the two exchanged what looked like a friendly “high five.” Forby, however, said his angry comments to Jones included several graphic and explicit words.

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My Opinion wrote on Apr 25, 2007 4:42 PM:

" No one will be voted out of office because of the job or performance they have done. All die hard democrats will vote for democrats and all die hard republicans will vote republican. The days of people voting for the best candidate and not the party is long gone. "

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CRC wrote on Apr 25, 2007 12:26 PM:

" A very wise man (Will Rodgers) once said, "It's a good thing we don't get all the government we pay for!!" What do you think would happen if they worked full time like everyone else does?? "

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partsguru1 wrote on Apr 25, 2007 12:20 PM:

" The way I see it, either the politicians currently in office will take care of the ridiculous power rate increases or they will be voted out of office in the next eletion. It is just that simple. The people of Illinois will be heard. "

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Wolfgang wrote on Apr 25, 2007 11:16 AM:

" Emil has been bought and paid for by Com Ed. What's the surprise? The only way to deal with a double-dipping corrupt politician is either vote him out of office or investigate and indict him if you can prove that his fingers got too sticky. Any takers? "

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Sesserite wrote on Apr 25, 2007 11:12 AM:

" The faces of these Democrats should be on the front page of newspapers all across Illinois so the people can see who also is their enemy besides Islamicfacists. "

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Dave wrote on Apr 25, 2007 10:05 AM:

" If Jones had stabbed me in the back like he did Forby he's the last guy I'd high five and pat on the back. Forby showed where his true loyalities lie. We'll high five Forby and ALL the incumbents next election!! "

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Muir's a liar wrote on Apr 25, 2007 10:01 AM:

" Gary Forby never high fived or slapped Jones on the back. That's a lie!!! Muir wasn't in Springfield that day, so how could he say it happened? Who saw it? Nobody, that's who!!!! "

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SHAMEFUL wrote on Apr 25, 2007 9:22 AM:

" THE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE ELECTRIC BILLS HAVE FORCED PEOPLE TO FEEL DESPERATE. THE LAWMAKERS NEED TO BE ASHAMED OF THEIRSELVES FOR TURNING THIS INTO ANYTHING POLITICAL. CHOOSING BETWEEN MEDICINE, FOOD OR PAYING YOUR ELECTRIC BILL SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE A CHOICE PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO MAKE. "

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Anon wrote on Apr 25, 2007 9:18 AM:

" Forby is NO friend of southern Illinois. Once a politician always a politician. Once a liar, always a liar. High five that Forby! "

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anyone surprised? wrote on Apr 25, 2007 8:02 AM:

" The problem is that Hot Rod, Emil, Forby, Cisel, and the rest of Team Collusion have no concept of how the outrageous increases for electricity have affected working families and small business. If any of these men lived in the real world they would not be making high fives and slapping each other on the back as people and our business community suffer. "

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