Illinois Gov. Rauner signs bill sparing 2 nuclear plants

The Republican appeared at Riverdale High School in Port Byron on Wednesday to sign legislation he said will save thousands of jobs by rewarding Exelon for producing carbon-free energy.

In addition to $235 million a year for Exelon to prop up nuclear plants in the Quad Cities and Clinton, the plan provides hundreds of millions of dollars in energy-efficiency programs and assistance to low-income energy users.