Attention Illinois: Your Electric Bill Probably Just Went Up

If you live in Illinois, several agencies and entities likely draw immediate ire. There are the minute ones, like road construction and potholes. There's the state government, and of course the consistently embittering political climate. Another Illinois hallmark my parents always railed against was ComEd, the main electricity provider in the state.

Commonwealth Edison, commonly abbreviated and referred to as "ComEd," reaches roughly 70% of the population in Illinois. Most notably, it covers the Chicago metropolitan area, so whenever price increases, power outages, or damage to electrical poles occurs, it becomes major news in the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Most typically, however, when ComEd enters the news cycle, a price hike is imminent. This isn't the exception to the rule. As of June 1st, ComEd's electricity supply rate has increased to roughly 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. That's a 45% increase from this time last year, when the rate was 6.9 cents per kilowatt-hour.

For the average customer, that increase to around $10.60 more every month, per Fox 32 Chicago.

An Important Distinction/Reminder About ComEd:

One important distinction about ComEd that many either don't know or simply forget is that ComEd is responsible for the "delivery" portion of the bill, rather than the supply. The increase at hand applies to "the supply and transmission part of the bill," not the delivery, per Fox 32 Chicago.

ComEd claims they don't profit from this part of the bill, they're just the thankless middleman.

How Long Will This Rate Increase Stick?:

ComEd stated the rate increase is expected to last until October, and is due in part to the possibility of higher electricity usage rates in the summer, when people typically run their air conditioners constantly. Severe weather plays into this as well.

The company also stated that the increase comes from a power auction held last year by PJM Interconnection, who manages the electricity grid in northern Illinois:

These costs go into effect in June and will be reflected in the "supply" portion of customer bills, which ComEd passes on directly to customers with no markup. ComEd does not profit from this increase, was not part of the auction, does not supply capacity, and does not retain any proceeds of the capacity charge payments. ComEd is responsible for the "delivery" portion of bills, which pays for the work ComEd does to maintain and upgrade the system to ensure safe and reliable electric service for all customers - a statement from ComEd, per Fox 32 Chicago

Even Illinois' Attorney General is Sick of the Price Increases:

Back in April, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a complaint with federal energy regulators demanding a revisionist electricity auction, which caused the increase in the first place. Raoul added that the rules used in the auction were "flawed and unfair to consumers."

Naturally, the auction wasn't redone before the higher prices took effect. Raoul stated a rerun of the auction would still result in an increase, but perhaps one half of what was officially enacted. With no revisionist auction having taken place, Raoul now wants the government to order refunds for customers based on prices a more fair auction would produce.

Get our free mobile app

If You Live in Illinois and Need Help Paying Your Electric Bill:

ComEd does offer Bill Support on their website, which includes a barrage of assistance programs. You can view those here. You can also consult CUB's Help Center for tips on saving energy. Read more about the recent price increase from ComEd on Fox 32 Chicago's website.