Quincy Reporter

State Senator Jil Tracy is sponsoring legislation aimed at addressing anticipated energy rate hikes in Illinois. "We must act quickly to address Illinois’ ongoing energy issues and expected rate increases," said Sen. Tracy, highlighting concerns for residents of western Illinois.

Ameren Illinois has projected an increase in rates from $37.62 to $45.98 per month for the summer season due to a recent MISO grid auction. ComEd customers are also expected to see their bills rise from $108 to $118.60 monthly, following the latest PJM grid auction.

Senator Tracy's legislative package includes three bills:

Senate Bill 1234 proposes creating the Illinois Regional Generation Reliability Task Force Act to examine the impact of state laws on energy prices and grid reliability.

Senate Bill 1235 aims to repeal the mandated 2045 closure date for coal and natural gas power plants set by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) of 2021, allowing new gas peaker plants without fear of forced closures.

Senate Bill 1236 seeks to expedite the permitting process at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has delayed projects like the Lincoln Land Energy Center in Pawnee, initially planned for a 2022 opening but now expected in 2028.

"Two years ago, we were facing the same concerns," noted Sen. Tracy regarding higher rates and reliable generation issues in western Illinois. She emphasized that renewable energy is vital but cautioned against an "all-or-nothing" approach that could lead to insufficient power generation and potential brownouts or blackouts.

Residents concerned about rising rates can visit Senator Tracy's legislative website for information on mitigating these increases.