Illinois Electricity Prices Surge This Summer — Relief Expected by October
MOLINE, ILLINOIS – Illinois residents faced higher electricity prices this summer, with Ameren customers seeing bills rise sharply as demand outpaced supply. Rates jumped from 8 cents per kilowatt-hour to 12 cents, leading to an 18–22% increase in monthly bills for many households.
According to Ameren, the spike began in June 2025 when capacity auctions conducted by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) revealed insufficient generation to meet peak summer demand. Across Illinois, residential costs rose by more than 14% year-over-year between June 2024 and June 2025.
Data Centers and Renewable Energy Challenges
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents the northwest Chicago suburbs and is running for Senate, warned that Illinois faces a growing energy crunch. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy, he pointed to the rapid expansion of data centers as a key driver of increased demand.
“There are at least 150 data centers across the state right now,” Krishnamoorthi said, adding that most are concentrated in the Chicago area, served primarily by ComEd. While Ameren operates on a separate grid, he emphasized that data centers still add pressure to the statewide supply.
Krishnamoorthi also cited cancelled wind and solar projects as part of the problem. Federal policy changes — including the early termination of tax credits and incentives — halted projects that were expected to deliver new renewable capacity. “Through repeal of the tax credits that support these projects, we are basically hampering our ability to bring lower-cost power to Americans,” he said.
Relief on the Horizon
Ameren said customers should expect bills to ease in October, when rates return closer to 8 cents per kilowatt-hour as seasonal demand declines. The utility has also added $4 million to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help families manage the summer price spike.
Customers of Ameren and ComEd can also shop for alternative electricity suppliers, locking in fixed rates through Illinois’ competitive retail market. These plans are still delivered by the main utility but can sometimes offer cost savings.
Regional Differences in Energy Prices
Not all Illinois households experienced the same summer surge. The Quad Cities, served by MidAmerican Energy, actually saw a 14% decrease in rates compared to last year. Unlike Ameren and ComEd, MidAmerican generates much of its own power and has its rates regulated by state agencies, shielding customers from auction-driven price volatility.
Meanwhile, the long-term future of Illinois’ power grid is being reshaped by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which mandates the closure or zero-emission transition of coal-fired plants by 2030, with all remaining plants required to meet the standard by 2045. Four coal plants already shut down in 2022, and three more are set to close by 2027.
With bills rising for many households, Illinois residents are left weighing energy-saving strategies and supplier choices. Relief is expected soon, but the broader challenges of demand growth and transitioning energy sources remain. For more updates on Illinois energy and community news, stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.