Consumers, lawmakers still waiting on electric rate deal

SPRINGFIELD (AP) - In February, Ellie Dorchincez was fighting mad about her soaring electric rates. In July, she's fighting her growing frustration over the lack of response by state officials. Dorchincez, who owns a small grocery store in Benton, says she and many others in southern Illinois - where many saw electric bills more than double when a 10-year rate freeze ended in January - still hope for some help from lawmakers. But as legislators continue to argue about how to provide relief and avoid large future increases, Dorchincez is skeptical. "Make a believer out of me," Dorchincez said to lawmakers. "Go ahead and try because I want you to try." Lawmakers working on the thorny issue understand the frustration, because they're feeling i