Illinois consumers paid up to 50 percent more for electricity this past summer, and a big reason was soaring demand from new and proposed data centers.
CUB asked Illinoisans in our Electric Bill Poll just how bad their power bills got. Check out some of the responses, and send a message to your legislators in favor of the POWER Act, which would make data centers pay their fair share of energy costs.
“My Com-Ed bill went from 200.00 in July to 514.00 in August.” — Harold, Hoffman Estates
“My electric bill has doubled since last year…I am a senior citizens and have difficulty paying these high rates…Wish someone could ease this problem!” — Kathy B., Des Plaines
“…My bill has doubled.” — Lin, Bourbonnais
“I use the Budget Plan to pay my electricity bills. Last August my bill was $78. This August my bill was $146. I was retired last year and am still retired this year. I manage my electricity usage by turning off lights, unplugging unnecessary equipment and I close my drapes to reduce heat infiltration through my windows.” — Diane, Woodstock
“…Comparing last year’s charges from ComEd…it was $21.98. This year is 49.56.” — Juan, Chicago
“My power bill has gone up 40 percent in a year. Whoever owns these data centers needs to pay for these ridiculous increases.” — Joseph, Downers Grove
“My electric bill went up $38, and even though I am in a 3rd-floor apt, I always have my blinds drawn, and the ceiling fan in the dining room/kitchen running at high speed every day in the summer. I have used even less electricity since last summer, because I have been ill, and in bed most of the time. Thanks Data Centers, since I now have to decide between bills, medication, and/or food. Where is my major tax break or check?”— Teresa, Naperville
“My electric bill went from $57.78 in June to $72.43 in July to $99.71 in August. Ridiculous for everyone to face constantly rising prices out of our control!!” — Deberah, Manteno
“My August 2026 electric bill is $225.97 for a 2600 sf. house. In August 2025 it was $183.60. My energy usage was 17% higher over one year ago while my cost was 19% higher. I think it is crazy that consumers and citizens of Illinois should have to pay increased electricity prices, not to mention tax breaks, to subsidize power and water hungry data centers that will reap huge profits for their Big Tech corporate owners. I fully support the POWER Act to put sensible guardrails on data centers so ComEd customers are not paying higher bills for costs that Big Tech should be responsible for.” — Jim, Elmhurst
“Definitely my electricity bill is way higher than last year. I stayed at the same apartment, usage was the same, but the difference between each summer months of this and last year is in average $50-100, there’s no problem for me to prove it, I saved all my bills for over an year.” — Indira, Skokie
“My electric bills were about 25% higher than last year even tho thermostat was set 4 ° warmer. Spent several days and nights in basement during power outages. Thousands of people suffered so much worse than I did but with the cost of living being unaffordable it’s difficult to survive for seniors and families.” — Crystal, Hodgkins
“It has been a hot summer and not all of us have central air. My window units worked very hard to keep up and drove the electric bill very high. The amazing thing about the ComEd bill was that it was also the time to pass on another charge for the power they bought in January to the consumers causing the highest electric bill ever!” — Patrick, Dixon
“Just wanted to say that a very large data center is being built in Minooka. Since construction started, our water pressure has dropped significantly. Our prices have gone up. Our electricity bill has been rising since last summer. The largest bill was $145.00. I do expect this to go higher as construction continues. Minooka has a solar farm right next to the data center. We have yet to be told where the water source is coming from. The Village Idiot Administrator, Dan Duffy wants to be a BIG GUY ON CAMPUS. Why does Channahon have to pay the bills and taxes for the stupidity of Minooka government? Only the shadow knows.” — Cheryl, Channahon
“Totally outrageous! I live mostly on SS.” — Donna, Elmhurst
“My electricity is out of control. I need some relief.” — Doug, Peotone
“The bills have gone up substantially. My question: Who authorized them to increase our bills?” — Pedro, Chicago
“The bills for the last 2 months totaled more than $276.” — Cheryl, Chicago
“My electric bill had definitely been higher, plain and simple.” — Marilyn, Chicago
“I am one senior living in Wheaton, IL, in a one-bedroom apartment in a Leed-certified six-story building. I use A/C sparingly and try hard to limit my electricity usage. My summer electricity bills have basically gone up from about $43-45 to $53-55.” — Mary, Wheaton
“My June through Sept payments were $56 more (over 4 payments) compared to last year (7% increase).” — Paula, Chicago
“My power bill is and was very high before any data centers.” — Billy, Granite City
“My electric bills were higher due to AC and fan use during the summer. Otherwise, I have not seen any significant increase in my monthly costs from previous years.” — Marcia, Sugar Grove
“My electric bills from ComEd were somewhat higher during this summer heat season. But, I’m not sure by how much. My main concern is whether ComEd is properly crediting my solar farm credits…” — Mark, Palatine
“This is a little confusing on my part. Last year we participated in an aggregation program sponsored by the City of Aurora that used MC Squared Energy Services. Our electric payments were set for $60.00 per month. The actual cost per month varied from summer to winter, but in the end ended up pretty close to the set amount. Now MC Squared is no longer a choice and we will be returned to ComEd. Sorry for the side story, but yes, I agree we need some protection against these power mongers. I did, however, just receive a notice that MC Squared is no longer available and we will be returned to ComEd as our supplier.” — William, Aurora
“As to Data Centers — I saw on TV a large data center that continually recycled its own water. Apparently the recycling was all onsight; it reminded me of the way nuclear submarines their heat. All Data Centers should be required to do that, too!” — Jeffrey, Winnetka [Note: The POWER Act would require data centers to cool servers–the largest driver of water use at these facilities–using methods that are at least as efficient as closed-loop cooling.]
“In the country with an all electric house, I have no monthly gas bill. Total energy including heat runs some 25,000 kWh a year, but that is generated by my ground mounted solar array since 2013. Appliances are mostly Energy Star. Net Metering with Com Ed makes my summer generation available for winter heat, covers overnight and bad weather needs.” — Bruce R., Stillman Valley
“Too high…” — D., Renton
