Gas prices for five of Illinois’ 9 major utilities are lower than a year ago, and thankfully, predictions are for a relatively stable gas market. Still, there are examples of market volatility, including the Mt. Carmel utility, which is charging a gas price that is about 84 percent higher than last month, according to CUB’s review of October gas prices.
The Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the Department of Energy, expects U.S. gas storage to be about 5 percent above the five-year average by the end of October. It also forecasts wholesale prices this year and next to come in slightly below 2025 levels. But gas exports keep climbing: the EIA projects liquefied natural gas exports to jump more than 15 percent this year, as companies send more U.S. gas overseas. Weather is still the wild card, and a cold snap can push prices up quickly.
Those market conditions affect the prices individual consumers pay to heat their homes. Gas utilities file supply prices, called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA), each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in October.
- Compared with September, three utilities have higher rates: Peoples Gas (about 4 percent), Ameren Illinois (about 5 percent), and Mt. Carmel (a whopping 84 percent higher). Five charged prices that were lower: Consumers Gas (about 79 percent), Illinois Gas (about 41 percent), Liberty Utilities (about 24 percent), MidAmerican Energy (about 5 percent) and North Shore Gas (about 3 percent). Nicor Gas’ price was unchanged.
- Compared with October 2025, this month’s prices were higher for four utilities, ranging from about 3 percent higher for North Shore Gas to about 11 percent higher for Liberty Utilities. Five utilities are charging lower prices than last October, ranging from Ameren, at 4 percent lower, to Consumers Gas, at 53 percent lower.
October Gas Prices
Ameren Illinois – 45.24 cents per therm (DOWN about 4 percent from October 2025)
Consumers Gas – 21.21 cents per therm (DOWN about 53 percent from October 2025)
Illinois Gas – 26.58 cents per therm (DOWN about 42 percent from October 2025)
Liberty Utilities – 53.43 cents per therm (UP about 11 percent from October 2025)
MidAmerican Energy – 42.06 cents per therm (DOWN about 31 percent from October 2025)
Mt. Carmel – 71.32 cents per therm (UP about 8 percent from October 2025)
Nicor Gas – 33.00 cents per therm (DOWN about 15 percent from October 2025)
North Shore Gas – 37.69 cents per therm (UP about 3 percent from October 2025)
Peoples Gas – 32.83 cents per therm (UP about 8.5 percent from October 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 on to customers with no markup. State regulators review the utilities’ gas-management procedures every year 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 ask about no- or low-cost energy efficiency programs the company offers.
- Practice energy efficiency at home. For tips and information about helpful energy efficiency programs offered by your utility, visit CUB’s Clean Energy page.
- 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 will also increase alternative supplier prices. As volatile as gas utility prices are, your best bet for gas supply is likely your utility, not an alternative supplier. Read our tips. (Note: Only consumers in Northern Illinois have gas choice.)
- See if you qualify for energy assistance. Certain income-qualified consumers can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Oct. 1. To apply or learn more about LIHEAP, visit this state of Illinois webpage. (Also, check out our step-by-step guide to applying for LIHEAP.)
- More helpful resources:
If you can, 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.
