Consumer advocate urges Illinois Senate to put breaks on legislation increasing electrical rates
- jackchen37
- Oct 30
- 2 min read
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday October 30, 2025
Consumer advocate urges Illinois Senate to put breaks on legislation increasing electrical rates
Illinois House adopts bill guaranteeing higher rates for energy consumers but benefits special interest groups
Springfield, IL -- Leading Illinois consumer advocate the Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers (“IIEC”) issued the following statement after the rushed approval by the Illinois House Wednesday of the Energy Omnibus Bill that benefits special interests and ignores average citizens.
“The House of Representatives voted tonight to guarantee a rate increase for all energy consumers in Illinois starting in June 2026 with the knowledge that there is no relief for ratepayers until sometime in the next decade, if ever” explained Phillip Golden, Chairman of the IIEC.
“With a bill that will not be effective until later next year, and unable to point to any language in the bill’s text where there is any help for citizens who are struggling to meet their daily obligations, the Illinois House ignored the interests of Illinois citizens and instead chose to provide funding and guaranteed profits to special interests. It also obliterates ratepayer protections.”
In advocating for the bill, House leadership relied on unvetted forecasts and hoped for benefits to justify its passage, but ignored express language mandating an immediate rate increase.
“Hopefully, the Illinois Senate will prove to be the chamber representing the interests of the people,” Golden explained, “and will choose to protect rate payers, rather than approve additional handouts to special interests in exchange for potential savings next decade.”
At a minimum, it should delay the vote to the spring, allowing more time for analysis. Taking extra time hurts no one, since the bill cannot take effect until Julne1, 2026 in any event.
For more information for media, contact:
Phillip Golden, Chairman, Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers
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