Dive Brief:
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, D, signed several pieces of energy legislation into law last week, including new rules around utility bill transparency, need-based financial assistance and renewables.
- Notably, HB 5524 requires the state Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to compile a report detailing the charges that appear on a residential customer's monthly electric bill, including the statutory authority for the charge, the entity to which the charge is remitted, any services supported by the charge and the full amount collected annually from the charge in 2025. The report is to be submitted to state lawmakers and posted online by Jan. 1, 2027.
- One of the bill’s sponsors, State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, promised in a statement to continue trying to pass a version of the bill each year “so Illinois electricity customers can stay informed on where their dollars are going.” He added: “Educating folks on exactly what they are paying for increases transparency and accountability for electric providers, and is a good consumer protection step we can take amid rising costs in the energy industry.”
Dive Insight:
Alignment between Illinois’ progressive governor and Republican state lawmakers underscores a bipartisan consensus on the urgency of addressing public anger over electricity bills.
In addition to HB 5524, Pritzker also signed HB 4456, which expands low-income discounts for utility customers by increasing the eligibility ceiling from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level and ensuring the discounts apply to the entire gas or electric bill, rather than only covering certain charges.
It also establishes a funding mechanism based on a fixed, per-customer charge — not a volumetric or usage-based one. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the base energy assistance charge will be 80 cents a month for each utility that is required to implement a low-income discount program, and 40 cents per month for utilities that are not required under the law to implement a program.
The law became effective immediately on signing, giving electric utilities serving more than 100,000 customers 30 days to file a new or amended tariff with regulators.
Separately, Pritzker signed SB 3273 providing solar energy projects located on public school property an expedited path to interconnection.
Last month, Pritzker signed HB 1700, which, among other things, expanded the Illinois Commerce Commission’s authority to issue a siting certificate for certain energy infrastructure in instances where a local government has failed or declined to do so, or when it has failed to adopt a siting or zoning ordinance in compliance with state law.
