Illinois Commerce Commission

The move comes after state regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the requested increase on Thursday. The five-member board approved a $110 million increase for the company, a 30% reduction from the company’s original request early this year.

State regulators will seek input from public on proposed rate increase. Illinois American Water, which serves 1.3 million people, is seeking a $152.4 million rate increase. Aqua Illinois, which serves 273,000 people, is seeking a $19.2 million increase.

Researchers say if state officials don’t curb utility spending, “Illinois is on course to maintain its entire gas system indefinitely.”

State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year.

The drop in gas rates and rise in electrical rates follow separate decisions from the Illinois Commerce Commission in late 2023. Ameren Illinois customers will notice the changes in the first billing cycle of the new year.

In rejecting the plans, regulators limited the companies’ proposed rate increases, meaning that next year’s impending increases will be significantly smaller than the utilities’ requests.

With company profits cut, low-income customers in Illinois are set to receive new discounts on the utilities.

Other projects are still on the table as advocates, industry groups debate regulatory reform

The new area code has been 22 years in the making. The Illinois Commerce Commission reserved the 730 area code in October 2000. The government agency held off on implementing it until July 2023.

Clean energy advocates are crying foul after Ameren Illinois ended its solar credit program for new solar customers earlier this month, even after state...