Blog

By Eric DeBellis
CUB General Counsel

As you know, Laura Loyd and I (CUB’s legal team) are fighting a record six rate cases in 2023, and I just wanted to give you an update as to where we’re at in those battles.

What’s left to do in these cases? 

Now – Filing rebuttals to the utilities’ attempts to defend their massive rate-hike requests.

August – September – Parties file briefs and reply briefs.

October – Administrative law judges issue proposed orders, recommending how the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) should vote.

November – Parties in the case file briefs, debating the proposed orders’ conclusions. Oral arguments possible.

December – The 5-member ICC issues final rulings. The new rates would take effect Jan. 1.

By how much is CUB hoping to reduce these rate hikes?  

We’re hoping to cut…

• ComEd’s $1.5 billion rate hike by at least $914.5 million.
• Ameren Illinois’ $481 million rate hike by at least $400+ million.
• Peoples Gas’ $402 million rate hike by at least $63 million, and North Shore Gas’ $18.5 million rate hike by at least $3.1 million.
• Nicor Gas’ $321 million rate hike by at least $106 million.
• Ameren Illinois’ $148.9 million rate hike by at least $59 million.

(Read more in my legal update.)

How can I help? 

• Sign our petition against ComEd’s 4-year, $1.5 billion rate-hike request
• File a public comment with the ICC.

• Sign our petition against Ameren’s 4-year, $481 million electric rate-hike request
• File a public comment with the ICC. 
• Sign our petition against Peoples Gas’ $402 million rate-hike request
• File a public comment with the ICC. 
• Sign our petition against Nicor’s $320 million rate-hike request 
• File a public comment with the ICC. 
• Sign our petition against Ameren Illinois’ $148 million gas rate-hike request
• File a public comment with the ICC. 
• Sign our petition against North Shore Gas’ $17 million request for an increase
• File a public comment with the ICC.

Thanks for reading! Laura and I appreciate your interest and your participation in these battles.

About the author: Eric came to CUB in 2020 as Regulatory Counsel, before rising to the position of General Counsel. (He had a prevision stint at CUB as an Attorney-Policy Analyst in 2017.) Eric represents utility ratepayers in lawsuits, primarily before the Illinois Commerce Commission. His favorite part of the job is breaking down complex legal and policy issues in plain language to convey why they matter to consumers. In his free time, Eric is a proud dad and volunteers with local parks and schools.