Illinois Senate rejects utility commission head

The Democrat-controlled legislature rejected Martin Cohen on a vote of 28 in favor and 22 against, a majority but short of the required number of votes needed for approval.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich, also a Democrat, had nominated Cohen, former executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, to serve as chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Blagojevich has sent letters to the commission arguing that proposals by Exelon Corp. and Ameren Corp. to procure power for their utility units through reverse auctions would result in unjustified rate increases for customers.

Both Exelon and Ameren have said their regulated utility units in Illinois could slide into bankruptcy if Illinois' governor prevails in a dispute over deregulating the state's power markets.