Rowe made news in 2009 when he led Exelon's split with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the Chamber's opposition to cap and trade. Reportedly armed with negotiated exceptions on how the proposed tax system would affect Exelon, Rowe pushed for the cap and trade tax's passage. During a Wheeling Township GOP meeting, then Congressman Mark Kirk publicly credited Exelon's CEO with influencing Kirk's vote in favor of cap and trade.
Last month Rowe also joined 49 other business leaders in sending a letter to state lawmakers calling for their support of the gay marriage bill. An issue currently dividing the GOP in Illinois.
The ILGOP honoree has an interesting donor record. Over the past 12 years, Rowe has written 96 checks to political candidates in Illinois state and local elections, totaling $232,000+. Over $123,800 has gone to Democrats and $83,000 to Republicans. He has donated thousands of dollars to Chicago Mayors Richard Daley and Rahm Emanuel, as well as Chicago Alderman Ed Burke (D), and Burke's wife Anne who is an Illinois Supreme Court Justice. He's also written checks to Cook County Board President John Stroger, his son Todd, and current board president Toni Preckwinkle.
At the state level, Rowe has written several checks to House Speaker Mike Madigan, former Senate President Emil Jones and current Senate President John Cullerton. He supported former Governor Rod Blagojevich and now supports Governor Pat Quinn. He's also supported State Senator Heather Steans (D), former State Rep. Julie Hamos (D), Edward Acevedo (D) and former State Senator James Meeks (D).
On the Republican side Rowe has supported State Comptroller Judy Baar-Topinka, State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, former Lt. Governor Corinne Wood and House Minority Leader Tom Cross.
Rowe also wrote checks to several candidates in 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary. During a two week span at the end of 2009, leading up to the March 2010 IL GOP primary, Rowe wrote $1,000 checks to Andy McKenna and State Sen. Kirk Dillard. After Bill Brady won the 2010 ILGOP primary, Rowe wrote two $10,000 checks to Brady, but before that, also wrote two $1,000 checks to Democrat Pat Quinn.
Rowe's personal donations as listed on Illinois State Board of Elections are identified Republican and Democrat by color HERE
At the federal level, the Federal Election Commission's records show he's given to Republican US Senator Mark Kirk and Democrat U.S. Reps Jesse Jackson and Bobby Rush.
