What authority does the Illinois Commerce Commission hold?

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is primarily responsible for the regulation of public utilities and transportation services within the state. This includes overseeing electric, gas, water, and telecommunications services to ensure that they are provided safely, reliably, and at reasonable rates for consumers. The ICC also regulates the safety of railroad and motor carrier transportation services, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

The other options pertain to areas outside the ICC’s scope. Regulating state tax rates falls under the Illinois Department of Revenue; overseeing public schools is managed by the Illinois State Board of Education; and managing state parks is done through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Each of these agencies has specific responsibilities that address different aspects of state governance, whereas the ICC is uniquely focused on utilities and transportation, making the regulation of public utilities and transportation services the correct choice.