With energy prices once again on the rise, Senate Republicans are calling for immediate action to protect Illinois families from even higher electricity costs in the future.

According to recent utility filings, Ameren customers are expected to see their average monthly summer bills rise from $37.62 to $45.98, while ComEd customers could pay up to $118.60 per month, up from $108. These increases are tied to the results of recent energy grid capacity auctions.

With families already stretched thin by rising costs for groceries, gas, and housing, Senate Republicans say it’s time for Illinois Democrats to get serious about energy reform.

To address the problem, Senate Republicans are pushing a three-part legislative package aimed at improving energy reliability and affordability across the state:

• Senate Bill 1234: Creates the Illinois Regional Generation Reliability Task Force, which would examine how state policies, including the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), are impacting energy prices and reliability.
• Senate Bill 1235: Repeals the forced 2045 closure date for coal and natural gas plants under CEJA and allows for the construction of new gas peaker plants to meet energy demand without fear of premature shutdowns.
• Senate Bill 1236: Cuts red tape at the Illinois EPA to fast-track permits for new power plants. One key example is the Lincoln Land Energy Center in Pawnee, which began the permitting process in 2017 and is now not expected to open until 2028 due to delays.

Senate Republicans say the plan will help prevent future rate hikes and ensure grid reliability by expanding access to dependable, affordable energy. Continued inaction by Democratic lawmakers and their refusal to acknowledge the clear link between these rate hikes and the policies they’ve supported is simply unacceptable.

In the meantime, Illinois residents are encouraged to visit the Senate Republican Caucus’ FAQ page to learn how they can reduce energy usage and soften the impact of expected summer rate hikes.