All of Illinois’ 9 major utilities are charging heating gas prices that are higher compared with a year ago, led by Nicor Gas, which is charging a supply price that is about 50 percent higher; Liberty Utilities, which is charging a price about 41.7 percent higher; MidAmerican Energy, with a price about 27.5 percent higher; and Peoples Gas, which has a price about 24.9 percent higher, according to CUB’s review of January gas prices.
Roughly eight out of 10 Illinois homes use methane gas for heat. Gas prices have been elevated because of a number of factors that have increased demand and tightened supply, including a cold snap in December and record gas exports (meaning profit-hungry gas producers and marketers are sending the heating fuel outside the United States).
Market conditions impact the prices individual consumers pay to heat their homes with methane gas. Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what CUB found in our review of prices in January.
- Compared with December 2025, five utilities have higher rates: Ameren (about 9.7 percent higher ), Illinois Gas (about 18 percent), Nicor Gas (about 7.7 percent), North Shore Gas (about 3.3 percent), and Peoples Gas (about 2.9 percent). Four charged prices that were lower: Consumers Gas (about 13.4 percent lower), Liberty Utilities (about 12.5 percent), MidAmerican (about 4.4 percent), and Mt. Carmel (about 7.1 percent).
- Compared with January 2025, this month’s prices were higher for all 9 utilities, ranging from about 6.3 percent higher for Ameren Illinois to about 50 percent higher for Nicor Gas. See January prices below.
January 2026 Gas Prices
Ameren Illinois– 48.36 cents per therm (UP about 6.3 percent from January 2025)
Consumers Gas– 42.36 cents per therm (UP about 7.7 percent from January 2025)
Illinois Gas– 58.11 cents per therm (UP about 17.6 percent from January 2025)
Liberty Utilities– 35.6 cents per therm (UP about 41.7 percent from January 2025)
MidAmerican Energy– 64.38 cents per therm (UP about 27.5 percent from January 2025)
Mt. Carmel– 61.52 cents per therm (UP about 13.5 percent from January 2025)
Nicor Gas– 42.00 cents per therm (UP about 50 percent from January 2025)
North Shore Gas– 53.23 cents per therm (UP about 19.1 from January 2025)
Peoples Gas– 41.81 cents per therm (UP about 24.9 percent from January 2025)
Note: Your utility is determined by where you live, so you cannot switch from one utility to another. Under Illinois law, gas utilities are not allowed to profit off supply prices—they pass those costs from gas producers and marketers onto customers with no markup. State regulators annually review the utilities’ gas-management procedures to evaluate whether the companies did a reasonable job with their gas purchases, given market conditions, to hold down costs for consumers as much as possible. Regulators can order refunds, although that is rare.
A few tips from CUB:
- Keep the lines of communication open with your utility. If you are having trouble affording your gas bills, it is vital that you contact your utility. Ask if you qualify for any energy assistance programs; see if you can set up a plan that gives you more time to pay off your bills; and inquire about no or low-cost energy efficiency programs the company offers. (See if your utility offers a discount program for qualifying customers: Nicor, North Shore and Peoples Gas do.)
- Practice energy efficiency at home. For tips and information about helpful energy efficiency programs offered by your utility, visit CUB’s Clean Energy page.
- See if you qualify for energy assistance. To apply or learn more about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), visit this state of Illinois webpage. (Also, check out our Step by step guide to applying for LIHEAP.)
- Beware of alternative supplier rip-offs. If a deal seems too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is. If the utility supply price increases, remember that it’s due to market factors that also will increase alternative supplier prices. As volatile as gas utility prices are, your best bet for gas supply is likely with your utility and not with an alternative supplier. Read our tips. (Note: Only consumers in Northern Illinois have gas choice.)
- More helpful resources:
- CUB’s Gas page
- CUB’s chart of historical gas prices. Plus, CUB’s gas-price reports from 2025: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December.
- If you want to consider moving away from gas, visit our electrification page and order CUB’s free Better Heat Guide to learn how to make the transition to more efficient appliances, like electric heat pumps and induction stove tops.
