Gov. Quinn makes pro-consumer choice in naming Flores new ICC chief

By naming Chicago Alderman Manuel Flores the new chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Gov. Pat Quinn (D) has met expectations that he would remake the state's utility regulatory agency into a pro-consumer body. It just took him longer to do it than many observers expected. Outgoing ICC Chairman Charles Box's term ended roughly a year ago. Gov Quinn was expected to replace Chairman Box, who has sided with utilities on a number of issues during his term, within months of his ascension to the governor's post last February. The appointment of the 1st Ward alderman, along with the naming of community organizer John Colgan last year to an open ICC post, puts the governor's pro-consumer stamp on a body that he has long complained is too easy on the utilities it oversees.