While we devoted most of our energy last week to the legislative wrangling in Springfield, the U.S. House passed a bill worth highlighting. The Home Star Retrofit Act, also known as "Cash for Caulkers," provides homeowners with rebates on energy-saving devices such as insulation, windows, and more efficient heating systems. David Roberts at Grist and Brad Plumer at The New Republic both make strong arguments that this bill will benefit an array of stakeholders.  Indeed it received the support of a broad coalition of environmental and business groups. Even better, while the feds will spend $6 billion on the program, the nation will save an estimated $9.2 billion in energy costs by 2020 alone, while also lowering carbon emissions.

The entire Democratic delegation voted for the bill, which passed 246-161. U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk, a supposed environmental advocate, opposed it.  In fact, 13th District Rep. Judy Biggert was the only Illinois Republican to vote aye.