Want to estimate your capacity charge before signing up for ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program? Here’s how to calculate it: 1. Go to this page: https://secure.comed.com/MyAccount/MyService/Pages/UsageDataTool.aspx, choose “View Summary Data Online,” and “Add” your ComEd Electric Choice ID. (The ID is located in the “Service Address” section of your bill.) 2. Click…...
CUB’s 2026 rate-hike battles surpass $900 million
In a year when we’re already paying elevated electricity prices, Illinois’ biggest utilities are piling on by pushing for $930 million in new rate hikes. The parent companies of these utilities raked in about $15 billion in total profits in 2025, and now they’re pushing for an increase in delivery…...
ComEd ($234 million), Ameren ($65 million) push for extra ‘reconciliation’ delivery rate hikes
As millions of Illinois consumers face spiking electricity supply prices this year, Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois are pushing to increase another part of our power bills, delivery charges, by a total of $299 million. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has already approved four-year rate plans (through 2027) for both…...
‘Very, very grateful”: CUB helps 92-year-old electric and gas customer secure $1,500 refund
Guadalupe, a 92-year-old Waukegan resident, had no idea that attending a CUB event would result in her receiving a $1,500 refund. But that’s exactly what happened when experts from the consumer watchdog discovered Guadalupe was being overcharged by an alternative supplier she had no idea she was paying. In late…...
CUB Q&A: Why is Ameren’s electricity price spiking?
A spike in an electricity “capacity auction” means that Ameren Illinois’ summer supply price for power increased significantly on June 1. Ameren’s 11.326 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) summer supply rate is about 39 percent higher than the price in the summer of 2024. Thankfully, Ameren’s price is expected to go…...
CUB Q&A: Why is ComEd’s electricity price spiking?
Record-high prices in an electricity “capacity auction”–sparked by soaring data center energy demand–have caused Commonwealth Edison’s electricity price to remain elevated for a second straight summer. ComEd estimates this could cost customers about 12 percent more, on average, from June 2026 through May 2027, but hotter weather and other factors…...
CUB thanks Gov. Pritzker for pausing new tax incentives for data centers, outlining framework for data center safeguards in Illinois
The following is a statement from Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s announcement today that he is pausing new data center tax incentives. The governor also outlined a framework for data center safeguards in Illinois. We thank Gov. Pritzker for taking action today by…...
CUB warning: Beware of bad alternative supplier deals
CUB reminded Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison customers of the utilities’ new summer power prices, and warned customers about getting lured into bad alternative supplier deals. Even in this high-priced environment, the utilities’ supply prices are likely the best bet, the watchdog said. These are the utilities’ new summer supply…...
CUB expert testimony uncovers $50+ million in overcharges in Illinois American Water’s rate-hike proposal
As it attempts to dominate the state’s private water landscape through an aggressive acquisition strategy, Illinois American Water is pushing a rate hike that would overcharge customers by at least $54 million–including an exorbitant profit rate for shareholders and executive bonuses, according to expert testimony filed by the Citizens Utility…...
CUB’s report on gas utility prices: June 2026
While several gas utilities in Illinois, thankfully, reported lower prices compared with last June, one company, Liberty Utilities, reported a spike of about 33 percent, according to a CUB review of June prices. Illinois utilities file their supply price, called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA), each month with the Illinois…...
