The Dixon School Board unanimously approved a solar contract Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2025, that’s expected to save the district roughly $500,000 over seven years in energy costs.

From Capitol News Illinois: Ameren Illinois residential customers will see an average $3.65 increase on their natural gas bills in January after the Illinois Commerce Commission last week slashed proposed rate hikes for two of the state’s largest utilities

The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act passed by the state legislature in late October stands to impact the city of Rochelle-owned Rochelle Municipal Utilities and its customers, city officials said Nov. 19. Gov. JB Pritzker has pledged to sign the bill.

The Dixon City Council approved an agreement Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, with a utility company that will bring an electric vehicle charging station to the city.

State Sen. Sue Rezin. R-Morris, traveled to Washington, D.C. to lead a two-day series of discussions with lawmakers, utility leaders, grid operators, and energy experts from across the country.

Applications are now being accepted for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); all income-eligible households are encouraged to apply.

JCE (Jo-Carroll Energy) Co-op announces launch of its new SmartHub member platform, designed to make managing accounts easier and more secure than ever. During the transition, the cooperative encourages all members to log in, set up a new SmartHub account and enroll in auto pay.

Due to state assistance funding, Illinois can likely continue serving clients through November, but the program will begin to see an impact the longer the federal shutdown continues.

A ribbon-cutting and energization ceremony were held Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, for Ducks Solar, a new 31-acre and 7.7-megawatt community solar energy project at 1067 W. Oregon Trail Road in Oregon.

From Capitol News Illinois: The bill that cleared the General Assembly on Thursday funds energy storage systems through a new charge to Illinois electric customers that will take effect in 2030. The bill also lifts a longtime ban on new nuclear power developments

A project that will help local families save money while helping the environment is coming soon to Lake Villa.

From Capitol News Illinois: One facet of the bill that received broad, bipartisan support would lift a state-level ban on constructing new nuclear power plants. But this provision also charges new fees up to $3.9 million for existing nuclear plant operators

From Capitol News Illinois: Nicor Gas and Ameren Illinois customers will likely see a rate increase on their bills next year, pending a final decision from state regulators in the coming weeks.

Yorkville passed an agreement for the developers of both the 1,034-acre Project Cardinal and the 502-acre Project Steel to split the costs for a $231,365 water planning study.

City staff have asked the Sycamore City Council to increase utility rates to cover higher costs, capital improvement projects and maintain financial stability for Sycamore’s water and sewer funds. Here's what that would mean for your bill:

The Dixon Public School Board is looking into contracting with a solar vendor to potentially decrease its energy costs over the long term.

The Illinois General Assembly is expected to address transit funding, energy, grid reform and property insurance, among other issues, during its fall veto session.

In a visit to rural Kane County Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said the need for “cheaper, cleaner” energy is “more important than ever” while celebrating a 26-acre solar farm off U.S. Highway 20 that officials said will help power nearly 600 low-income households.

From Capitol News Illinois: The biggest unknown for a bill on electric utilities is whether it will include direct regulations on data centers’ use of electricity, something House Speaker Chris Welch said is possible

Gas-powered electricity plant Geneva Generation Facility is expected to undergo engine maintenance due to generator impacts from extreme heat in summer 2024, officials said.

The rate spikes of the summer are coming down, but ComEd customers still can expect higher bills through the winter, according to the Citizens Utilities Board.

A crowd of over 100 Minooka residents filled the community room at Minooka Village Hall Wednesday night to ask questions of Equinix, a company with plans to build a data center on Holt Road near Ridge Road.

The funding can be used to assist eligible Will County residents with payment for natural gas, propane, and electric bills and furnace repairs or replacements for inoperable heating systems for low- income homeowners and renters.

From Capitol News Illinois: After twice failing to pass an energy reform package this year, lawmakers and renewable energy advocates are aiming to reach a deal in time for a brief legislative session in October.

Sen. Bill Cunningham, one of the most powerful Democrats in Springfield, will not run for reelection in 2026.

Batavia City Council members plan to reduce the price of charging rates at electric vehicle charging stations within the city.

The Grundy County Board issued its rejection to the Brisbin Solar project being pitched for an area near the Brisbin Road interchange along I-80 on Tuesday, following recommendations from both the zoning board of appeals and land use committees.

Addressing doubts posed by Batavia City Council members during recent discussions over the attainability of some of the goals, Mayor Jeff Shielke admitted the new energy policy is not “real strong,” but said it points the Council in the right direction.

The DuPage County Community Services Department is offering energy assistance

A developer who wants to build a small solar energy facility and a data center on Peace Road in DeKalb will bring their plans back to the city for review Tuesday, documents show. The proposal was first pitched in January.

Rising demand from Big Tech data centers and higher PJM grid costs are driving Illinois power bills higher – and many relief programs are already tapped out

Richardson Electronics Ltd., 40W267 Keslinger Road, La Fox will invest more than $8.5 million over the next four years to expand manufacturing of its green energy products, power grid and microwave tubes.

Households must be at or below 60% of the state median income to receive a benefit from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP provides one-time benefits to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service.

Cary School District 26 is looking at adding solar panels to the roofs of three schools as time dwindles on financial incentives that will end with the passing of Trump-backed “Big Beautiful Bill.”

After controversy over St. Charles' energy provider's reliance on coal, the City Council has rejected a proposed contract with the city’s current energy provider.

Amid rising electric bills, states are under pressure to insulate regular household and business ratepayers from the costs of feeding Big Tech’s energy-hungry data centers

Geneva, DeKalb and DuPage County were among 17 communities in Illinois recognized this week for efforts to support electric vehicles and charging stations for a more sustainable future.

The Morris City Council passed an ordinance Monday night that will allow facilities like factories and distribution centers to place solar panels on their roofs without a permitting process.

The utility company has ended applications for an assistance program meant to help customers with rising electricity costs after more than 70,000 applications were received within the first two weeks.

Batavia City Council members approved a service agreement to provide energy for a $500 million, 120,000-square-foot data center on the vacant industrial park lot.

Residents and sustainability advocates held a news conference Monday urging St. Charles and Naperville city councils to eschew proposed 20-year contracts with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.

The global switch to renewable energy has passed a “positive tipping point” where solar and wind power will become even cheaper and more widespread, according to two United Nations reports released Tuesday

Grundy County Board Chair Drew Muffler said the moratorium in place will have an impact on any of the community solar projects within the county that are looking to set up battery banks as an accompaniment to solar panels.

Illinois has increasingly subsidized the solar industry in recent years, most notably through the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, or CEJA

Illinois legislators and organizations released the following statements Tuesday after the U.S. Senate passed President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts bill.

People voiced opposition to a record rate $316 million rate hike sought by Nicor Gas during a public hearing in Joliet on Monday night.

The rise of power-hungry data centers has placed significant demands on the electric grid at a time when the supply of electricity is stagnant or falling. This situation has already led to higher prices

The increased demand stems from data centers, increasing adoption of electric heat pumps and the rise of electric vehicles, according to NERC

The Citizens Utility Board blamed years of poor policies and planning by grid operator PJM Interconnection for the rate increase.

Gas utilities seek to increase rates by $7 to $10 per month next year