After an expensive summer, Commonwealth Edison’s new supply price has dropped slightly but is still about 47 percent higher than last year, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Wednesday.
Even though ComEd’s price is elevated, the watchdog urged consumers to review the “Supply” section of their bills to confirm they are not overpaying with an expensive alternative supplier offer, including offers negotiated by local governments.
ComEd’s new non-summer power price (from October 2025 through May 2026):
- 9.689¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (Appears as 0.09689 on bills.)
- The price above includes the supply price plus a transmission charge.
While ComEd’s price is down slightly from what it was this past summer (about 10.03¢ per kWh), it’s still up about 47 percent from what it was last October. Overall, ComEd has estimated the price increase will cost customers an average of 10-15 percent, or $10.60, more per month—but the impact can be much higher for individual customers, depending on factors such as weather.
In northern Illinois, consumers can choose to stay with ComEd for supply or go with an alternative supplier. Among the choices in the market, many communities have “municipal aggregation” offers that local leaders have negotiated with an alternative supplier.
Even with the elevated ComEd price, CUB warned customers of bad alternative supplier deals and stressed that it is likely ComEd is the best bet for supply. A CUB review of state electricity choice reports revealed Illinois consumers have lost more than $2 billion to alternative suppliers over the last decade.
“ComEd’s price is painfully high, but customers should beware of bad deals peddled by alternative suppliers,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. “Even in this market it is likely that ComEd is your best bet for supply.”
The ComEd price spike is connected to an increase in the price for reserve power, also called “capacity.” CUB argues that capacity costs have skyrocketed largely because of increased energy demand from data centers and policy problems with the power grid operator for northern Illinois, PJM Interconnection, which runs an auction to determine the price of capacity. Among other things, the grid operator takes far too long to connect new power sources—wind, solar and battery projects—to the grid so they can help lower prices, CUB argues.
Moskowitz said there is an urgent need for continued reforms at PJM, but also for Illinois to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act in the General Assembly’s Fall Veto Session. The act is comprehensive energy legislation that would, among other things, expand energy efficiency programs and bring more battery storage to the grid–improvements essential to lowering power prices. “Illinois must pass the CRGA Act to avoid painful price spikes well into the future,” Moskowitz said.
CUB provided additional tips:
How do I know if I’m with an alternative supplier? If you’re with an alternative supplier, you will still get a bill from ComEd, with the alternative supplier charges included. To see if you’re with another supplier and what per kWh rate you’re paying, look in the “Supply” sections of your ComEd bill. If a company other than ComEd is listed, you are with an alternative supplier.
If the alternative supplier is charging you a higher rate than the ComEd price listed above, call the alternative supplier using the phone number that is listed in the “Supply” section. If you think you were fraudulently signed up, tell the supplier you want a refund. If you don’t like the supplier’s response, file a complaint with CUB, at 1-800-669-5556.
What part of the bill is impacted by this change? Supply, which is the cost of the actual electricity. This makes up about a half to two-thirds of bills. ComEd does not profit off these charges: Under law it is required to pass supply costs onto customers with no markup. (ComEd does profit off another part of the bill: “Delivery.” The utility is trying to raise those delivery charges by $268.6 million by the end of the year in a case before the Illinois Commerce Commission.)
The summer price spike was softened a bit by relief from the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Illinois’ landmark energy law requires a line item on ComEd bills called the Carbon Free Energy Resource Adjustment (CFERA) to subsidize energy generated by nuclear power plants in Illinois. But consumer advocates pushed for a provision that changes the charge to a credit when energy prices go above a certain level.
If consumers are struggling to afford their bills, what are their options?
- Learn about energy assistance. Certain income-qualified consumers can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Oct. 1. To learn more about LIHEAP and if you qualify, visit www.helpillinoisfamilies.com or call the Help Illinois Families Assistance Line at 1-833-711-0374.
- Practice energy efficiency. Simple things like weatherizing windows and doors can help make utility bills more affordable. But don’t take risks that keep your home too hot or too cold and threaten your health. Efficiency is about eliminating waste but keeping your home safe, no matter the weather.
- Stay in contact with your utility. Consumers who are struggling should contact ComEd to inquire about payment options that give them a longer time to pay off debt and learn about energy efficiency programs.
- If you’re interested in installing solar panels, consider the next steps. Learn more about rooftop solar. Also, CUB has information about income-qualified solar programs.
- If solar panels aren’t possible, consider a community solar deal to help ease costs. Community solar offers currently guarantee savings compared to the utility’s supply price. But be a careful shopper: Get more information at our special website, SolarInTheCommunity.com.
For more information about electricity prices, visit CUBHelpCenter.com.
