Electricity

 

Illinois allows customers of Commonwealth Edison and Ameren (AmerenIP, AmerenCIPS, and AmerenCILCO), MidAmerican Energy, and Mt. Carmel to choose alternate electric suppliers. The two main utilities, ComEd and Ameren, sold their power plants and now only own the transmission and distribution wires. If customers don't choose an alternative electric provider, the utilities serve customers on “default service”. Rates for default service are set by the competitive market, through a supply procurement portfolio developed by the Illinois Power Agency. Power is purchased once a year through a competitive solicitation. Rates would be set from the result of that procurement, depending on customer class. Large customers at 400 kilowatts (kW) and above have default service prices are set by the hourly price in the PJM or Midwest Independent System Operator wholesale market. Customers below 400 kW have fixed prices set by the Illinois Power Agency's Procurement Plan.

 

Natural Gas

 

The Illinois Commerce Commission allows customers of the three main gas utilities (Nicor, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas) to choose alternative gas supply. Customers choosing an alternate gas supplier will still have their gas supply delivered by the local utility. If customers do not shop for an alternate gas supplier, they pay either a “Gas Charge” or “Natural Gas Cost” from their utility bill to compensate the utility for arranging for their supply. These charges vary monthly.