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Illinois Electricity Information

Illinois has a competitive electricity choice market where most customers of ComEd and Ameren Illinois can select a retail electric supplier, while the utility still delivers power and maintains the grid. Distinct to Illinois is community choice aggregation, which lets cities and towns negotiate supply on behalf of residents, often with fixed rates or green energy options. If you do not choose a supplier, you receive default supply from the utility, and programs like ComEd Hourly Pricing and Ameren Power Smart Pricing offer optional real-time rates tied to wholesale markets. Municipal and cooperative utilities are generally outside the choice framework, and the Illinois Commerce Commission oversees suppliers and consumer protections to keep the market fair and transparent.

Shop or Stay? (Understanding Illinois Energy Choice)

Illinois is a “deregulated” energy market. This means while you must use your local utility (like ComEd or Ameren) to deliver the power, you have the option to buy the actual electricity or natural gas from a competitive supplier.

Should you switch? For most residents, the default utility rate is the safest and most stable option. However, if you choose to shop around, use this checklist to avoid bad deals:

Check the “Price to Compare”: Look at your current utility bill to find the default rate (in cents per kWh or therm). Never switch unless the new offer is significantly lower than this number.
Watch for “Teaser Rates”: Be wary of offers that look incredibly low but only last for 3 months. After the introductory period, these variable rates can skyrocket.
Verify Monthly Fees: Some suppliers charge a low rate but add a monthly “subscription fee” (e.g., $9.99/month), which often wipes out any savings.

Official Comparison Tool: Always use Plugin Illinois (the official ICC website) to compare offers. Avoid third-party comparison sites that may prioritize sponsored deals.

Illinois Electricity Generation

Illinois generates electricity from a diverse mix of sources, with nuclear power leading the way, it produces more nuclear energy than any other state. Natural gas and coal also contribute, though coal use has declined in recent years. Wind power is expanding rapidly, making Illinois a leader in Midwest renewable energy. This diverse energy mix helps keep electricity prices close to the national average, while emissions have decreased as the state moves away from coal and invests in cleaner energy sources.

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Electricity Production

Primary Source

Nuclear

Total Generation: 177,737,641 MWh
Ranks 5th Highest in the U.S.
Average Price: 18.33¢ /kWh
Ranks 29th Cheapest in the U.S.
Average Electric Bill: $121.06
Ranks 14th Cheapest in the U.S.

Electricity Production By Source

Emissions From Electricity Generation

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Rank

14th Highest

42,186 TMT

Sulfer Dioxide Emissions Rank

11th Highest

32,285 tn

Nitrogen Oxide Emissions Rank

27th Highest

19,750 tn

Renewable Electricity Generation

Renewable Production Rank

9th Highest

23,811,118 MWh
13.4% of Total Production

Source U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Based on data from 2023

Energy Usage in Illinois

Energy Usage Per Capita Rank

28th Lowest

Average Per Person: 292 million BTU

Illinois has high electricity consumption, driven by its large population, industrial sector, and seasonal temperature swings. Located in the Midwest climate region, the state experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters, leading to high energy use for both cooling and heating. Air conditioning demand peaks in the summer, while winter heating, often powered by natural gas, also contributes to overall energy needs. Despite this, Illinois benefits from a diverse energy mix and competitive electricity prices, helping to balance demand with affordability.

Municipal Utilities in Illinois

While most cities, towns, and villages throughout the state of Illinois offer municipal essential services like providing clean water, sewage treatment and dealing with waste and storm water, some also offer other services like electricity, natural gas, sanitation or recycling. In Illinois, 41 cities offer municipal electricity utility services to their residents.

Largest Electric Companies in Illinois

The rest of Illinois receives electric utility service from one of many primary providers. Here’s a list of some of the larger providers that might be available to your home:

Illinois Natural Gas Information

From Chicago’s dense neighborhoods served by Peoples Gas to the suburbs on North Shore Gas and the vast Nicor territory across the northern third of the state, natural gas is the default for home comfort and hot water. Almost 8 in 10 Illinois households use gas as their primary heating fuel, and winter cold snaps along the lakefront and across the Prairie State push morning and evening peaks. Sector use is broad as well, with the residential sector about one-third of statewide gas consumption and the industrial sector roughly one-fourth, while the rest is split between commercial needs and power generation. In central and southern Illinois, Ameren Illinois ties smaller cities and rural towns into the pipeline network, keeping supply steady through sharp seasonal swings.

Illinois runs one of the Midwest’s more active gas-choice markets. Residential and small-business customers in Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas territories can buy supply from Alternative Gas Suppliers certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission, while the utility still handles delivery through its pipelines. Larger businesses, including those in Ameren Illinois territory, can also shop for suppliers with Ameren continuing delivery. The ICC publishes supplier lists and consumer guidance, and watchdogs like CUB provide “shop or stay” tips so customers can compare offers against the utility’s default supply.

Average Natural Gas Price

$2.035 /CCF

Ranks 17th Cheapest in the U.S.

Average Natural Gas Bill

$97 /month

Ranks 22nd Cheapest in the U.S.

Natural Gas Usage Per Capita

36th Lowest

Average Per Person: 58.14 MCFs Annually

Largest Natural Gas Companies in Illinois

Many of the residents of Illinois receive their natural gas utility service from one of the larger companies that service the state.

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Illinois Internet Connectivity

Broadband Availability

91.92%

Ranks 38th in the U.S.

Percent of Ppopulation with access to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload

1 Gig Availability

40.08%

Ranks 29th in the U.S.

Percent of population with access to download speeds of 1 Gbps

Fiber Availability

29.5%

Ranks 10th in the U.S.

Percent of population with access to Fiber Internet

Largest Internet Providers in Illinois

When it comes to high-speed internet, homes in Illinois have plenty of options to stay connected! From bustling cities to quiet rural areas, a variety of providers offer reliable service across the state. Here are some of the biggest names keeping Illinois homes online and in the loop:

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Tenant Rights & The "Heat Ordinance"

If you rent your home, you have specific rights regarding heating and utility service, particularly in Chicago and Cook County.

Chicago Heat Ordinance (Sept 15 – June 1) Landlords in Chicago are legally required to ensure rental units meet minimum temperature standards during the heating season:

Daytime (8:30 AM – 10:30 PM): Minimum 68°F
Nighttime (10:30 PM – 8:30 AM): Minimum 66°F
Note: Portable space heaters do not count as a valid primary heat source.

Utility Disconnection Protections

32°F Freeze Rule: Utilities generally cannot disconnect your heat (or the electricity that powers your heat) on any day where the temperature is forecast to drop below 32°F within the next 24 hours.
Winter Moratorium: From December 1 through March 31, protections are expanded. Disconnection is strictly limited for households where gas or electricity is the primary source of heat, specifically for those who are eligible for LIHEAP or have deployed military personnel.

Utility Scam Awareness

Utility scams are common in Illinois, often spiking during extreme weather seasons. Protect yourself by recognizing these red flags:

The "30-Minute" Threat: Real utility companies (ComEd, Ameren, Nicor) will never call you and demand payment within 30-60 minutes to avoid immediate shutoff.
Specific Payment Methods: Scammers often demand payment via Zelle, Bitcoin, Green Dot cards, or store gift cards. Legitimate utilities never require these specific, untraceable payment methods.
Spoofed Caller ID: Scammers can make their phone number look like it's coming from "ComEd" or "Ameren." If you are unsure, hang up and call the number printed on your actual bill.
"Rebate" Door-Knockers: Be cautious of door-to-door agents asking to "see your bill to check if you are getting your rebate." This is often a tactic to switch your energy supplier without your clear consent.

Community Solar Programs

You don't need a roof to use solar power. Illinois is a leader in "Community Solar," a program that allows renters and homeowners to subscribe to a local solar farm.

How it works:

Subscribe: You sign up with a local community solar project (no installation required).
Earn Credits: The solar farm generates power and sends it to the grid. You receive "solar credits" on your regular ComEd or Ameren bill for your share of that power.
Save Money: You pay the solar farm for the credits at a discounted rate (typically 10-20% lower than the standard utility rate).

Where to find projects: Visit Illinois Shines or Illinois Solar for All to find official, state-vetted programs.

Emergency & Safety Contacts

If you smell gas or see a downed power line, do not email or use an app. Call these emergency numbers immediately.

Gas Leaks (24/7)

Nicor Gas: 888-Nicor4U (888-642-6748)
Peoples Gas: 866-556-6001
North Shore Gas: 866-556-6004
Ameren Illinois: 800-755-5000

Power Outages & Downed Lines

ComEd: 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661)
Ameren Illinois: 1-800-755-5000

Complaint Escalation

If you have a dispute with your utility provider that isn't being resolved, you have the right to escalate the issue to state regulators.

Step 1: Call your utility provider first and ask to speak to a supervisor.
Step 2: If the issue remains unresolved, file an informal complaint with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
- Phone: 1-800-524-0795
- Website: File a Consumer Complaint
Step 3: For issues involving aggressive marketing or deceptive sales practices by alternative suppliers, contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Bureau.

Utility Costs in Illinois

The average monthly total utility bills in Illinois is $244.05, which is 11.94% lower than the national average.

Average Electric Bill

$121

Lower than national average

Average Natural Gas Bill

$97

Lower than national average

Average Water Bill

$26

Lower than national average

Assistance for Paying Utility Bills in Illinois

If you are struggling to pay your utility bills, Illinois offers several state-managed and utility-specific programs to help keep your services running. Assistance is available for low-income households, with specific protections and grants for seniors, veterans, and students.

State & Federal Programs

The most common way to receive help is through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This federally funded program provides a one-time benefit to eligible households to be used for energy bills.

LIHEAP: Provides direct financial assistance to help pay for heating and cooling costs.
PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan): Available for customers of major utilities (Ameren, ComEd, Nicor, and Peoples Gas). It allows eligible households to pay a manageable percentage of their income toward their utility bill each month, with a chance to reduce past-due balances for on-time payments.
IHWAP (Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program): Helps low-income residents save money by improving the energy efficiency of their homes free of charge.

Utility-Specific Financial Hardship Programs

Most major utility providers in Illinois have their own hardship grants and “share” programs funded by customers and employees.

ComEd: Offers the Residential Special Hardship program for customers demonstrating financial hardship (job loss, illness, etc.).
Ameren Illinois: Offers Warm Neighbors Cool Friends, a matching grant program for those with moderate incomes who may not qualify for state aid.
Nicor Gas: Offers the Shield of Caring program and the Sharing Program (administered by the Salvation Army) to provide grants to residential customers.
Peoples Gas: Offers Share the Warmth, providing grants of up to $200 for eligible limited-income households.

Special Programs for Seniors

Seniors often receive priority processing for state applications and have access to specific charitable riders.

Ameren Illinois Warm Neighbors Cool Friends: Specifically targets seniors (age 60+) who need assistance but may be just above the income threshold for federal LIHEAP assistance.
Nicor Gas Sharing Program: Provides specific grants for customers age 65 and older.

Special Programs for Veterans & Military Families

Veterans and active-duty military personnel have access to dedicated funds and protections against disconnection.

ComEd CHAMP: The ComEd Helps Activated/Disabled Military Personnel (CHAMP) program provides bill-payment assistance, deferred payment plans, and cancellation of late charges for eligible veterans and deployed members of the military.
Illinois Patriot Plan: Prevents disconnection and waives late fees for military families (gas and electric) when the primary occupant is deployed. Contact your specific utility provider to enroll.
Nicor Gas: Offers specific “Veteran Grants” for eligible customers, with higher grant amounts available for those who do not qualify for LIHEAP.
SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families): Provides temporary financial assistance for utilities to veterans at risk of homelessness.

Assistance for Students

While there is no single statewide “student utility discount,” students who are responsible for their own households may still qualify for general assistance.

LIHEAP Eligibility: College students who live off-campus and meet income guidelines (and are not claimed as dependents on another’s tax return) are often eligible for LIHEAP and PIPP grants.
University Emergency Funds: Many Illinois universities (such as UIUC and UIC) have “Emergency Dean Funds” or “Basic Needs” grants specifically designed to help students pay essential bills like electricity and gas during a temporary crisis. Check with your university’s Dean of Students or Financial Aid office.

Learn more in the Student Utility Setup Guide