Lake County Gazette

Utilities customers are outraged over increasing energy costs.

“We are facing large increases in our utility rates. Did you know Illinois’ utility giants opened 2023 with a vengeance – against consumers,” Buffalo Grove resident David Besser said on Facebook. “In the first two weeks of January, we were inundated by rate hikes – five in total – including proposals for record-breaking increases for heating and electric costs.” 

“ComEd is seeking a record-breaking $1.5 billion rate hike over four-years," Besser added. "Peoples Gas has proposed a record-setting $402 million rate increase. Nicor wants its own record rate hike – $321 million in what would be its fourth rate increase in six years, with each one dwarfing the size of the last. Ameren Illinois wants a $160 million gas increase (and we expect it to push for an electric rate hike also). North Shore Gas wants to squeeze customers for another $18 million. I am a utility broker that works with several different utility suppliers. If you are looking at ways of lowering your utility rates or would like to learn more about it, please contact me.” 

In downstate areas Ameren has hiked rates 116% higher than last year, translating to an increase of $626 per customer. The utility provider has filed paperwork to push power bills even higher, which saw immediate pushback from the CUB. 

“In one month, Ameren Illinois has filed for a $160.4 million gas rate hike and a four-year $435.6 million electric increase, and they couldn’t have come at a worse time,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said in a press release. "This is awful news for Ameren customers who already were suffering under some of the highest electric and gas supply prices in Illinois history as well as earlier Ameren rate hikes. CUB will do a thorough review of these rate cases, and we will challenge every penny Ameren can't justify." 

Downstate legislators have vowed action on Ameren’s increased rates. State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is one of several Republican lawmakers seeking rate relief for downstate Ameren customers. “They've got to heat, they've got to eat or they've got to buy their medicine, and that's really what it boils down to,” Bryant said in a press conference, according to South West Illinois News. “The rate increases are because of many factors. But to put it simply, prices are going up because of some global market pressures and capacity shortage in the region.“ 

State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) said some utilities customers are being impacted more than others. “I got a phone call from West Frankfort ... and they said that their electric bill for some of the services that they offer for senior citizens in West Frankfort went from $4,000 to $12,000,” Severin said at the press conference, SE Illinois News reported. “I got a call just last week from a new part of my district that there's a grocery store that is closing that serves that county. They do not have a grocery store in that county anymore as of these costs. It's serious and we've got to find answers.”