November 8, 2023 – Armed with stories about how they already can’t keep up with their electric and gas bills, or choosing between heat and groceries, older adults delivered 15,000 petitions pleading for relief to the Illinois Commerce Commission offices in both Chicago and Springfield Tuesday.
The petitions, many handwritten and mailed from all parts of Illinois, implored the Illinois Commerce Commission to stop utility giants Peoples’ Gas in northern Illinois and Ameren Electric in central Illinois from being able to implement the rate hike.
“We’re on the heels of the first snowfall and freezing temperatures of the year, worried for our friends and neighbors who will have to make the impossible choice between heating their homes this winter or afford their life-saving prescriptions and groceries,” said Philippe Largent, AARP Illinois State Director. “That is a choice no Illinoisan should have to make, and yet we’ve heard from so many older adults who face this reality.” The Illinois Commerce Commission is currently considering proposals from Peoples Gas and Ameren Illinois that would raise utility rates for residential customers. Peoples Gas is seeking approval of a $402 million rate hike that would increase gas bills for customers by almost $12 each month, or about $142 annually.
Ameren Electric has requested $1.3 billion over the next four years. If approved, this would raise customer electric bills by $300 a year by 2027. This hike will be phased in starting in 2024, spiking by $75 annually.
The ICC is expected to make a ruling on Peoples Gas Nov. 29; on Ameren Electric on Dec. 20.
In both Springfield and Chicago Tuesday, AARP Illinois leaders and volunteers wheeled boxes filled with more than 15,000 petitions collected online and through the mail over the last several months.
“We hope that these stacks and boxes of petitions are a tangible reminder to ICC members to rule in the interest of real, hard-working Illinoisans who are saying loudly and clearly that they cannot afford one cent more on their utility bills,” said Al Hollenbeck, AARP Illinois Volunteer State President. “These petitions are begging for the ICC to do what’s right and stop the rate hikes once and for all.”
