Gas prices for six of Illinois’ 9 major utilities are elevated, compared with a year ago, led by Liberty Utilities, which is charging a supply price that is about 153 percent higher; Nicor Gas, with a price about 39 percent higher, and MidAmerican Energy, which is charging a price that is about 32 percent higher; according to CUB’s review of October gas prices.
Gas prices have been on the rise, with colder-than-normal weather last winter and record gas exports (meaning profit-hungry companies sending gas outside the United States) increasing demand and tightening supply earlier this year. The Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the Department of Energy, says it expects wholesale prices to continue to rise into next year, amid “relatively flat” gas production and an increase in U.S. liquefied gas exports.
Those market conditions impact the prices individual consumers pay to heat their homes. Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in October.
- Compared with September, six utilities have higher rates: Ameren Illinois (about 2 percent), Illinois Gas (about 10 percent), Mt. Carmel (about 96 percent), MidAmerican (3 percent), North Shore Gas (7 percent), and Peoples Gas (1 percent). Three charged prices that were lower: Liberty Utilities (about 3 percent), Nicor Gas (13 percent) and Consumers Gas (about 15 percent).
- Compared with October 2024, this month’s prices were higher for six utilities, ranging from about 1 percent higher for Peoples Gas to about 154 percent higher for Liberty Utilities. Three utilities were less than last October: Ameren Gas (about 4 percent), Illinois Gas (about 1 percent), and Mt. Carmel (21 percent).
October Gas Prices
Ameren Illinois– 47.28 cents per therm (DOWN about 4 percent from October 2024)
Consumers Gas– 45.40 cents per therm (UP about 19.5 percent from October 2024)
Illinois Gas– 45.88 cents per therm (DOWN about 0.3 percent from October 2024)
Liberty Utilities– 48.04 cents per therm (UP about 153 percent from October 2024)
MidAmerican Energy– 60.86 cents per therm (UP about 32 percent from October 2024)
Mt. Carmel– 65.87 cents per therm (DOWN about 21 percent from October 2024)
Nicor Gas– 39.00 cents per therm (UP about 39 percent from October 2024)
North Shore Gas– 36.48 cents per therm (UP about 11 percent from October 2024)
Peoples Gas– 30.25 cents per therm (UP about 1 percent from October 2024)
Note: Your utility is determined by where you live, so you cannot switch from one utility to another. Under Illinois law, gas utilities are not allowed to profit off supply prices—they pass those costs from gas producers and marketers onto customers with no markup. State regulators annually review the utilities’ gas-management procedures to evaluate whether the companies did a reasonable job with their gas purchases, given market conditions, to hold down costs for consumers as much as possible. Regulators can order refunds, although that is rare.
A few tips from CUB:
- Keep the lines of communication open with your utility. If you are having trouble affording your gas bills, it is vital that you contact your utility. Ask if you qualify for any energy assistance programs; see if you can set up a plan that gives you more time to pay off your bills; and inquire about no or low-cost energy efficiency programs the company offers.
- Practice energy efficiency at home. For tips and information about helpful energy efficiency programs offered by your utility, visit CUB’s Clean Energy page.
- Beware of alternative supplier rip-offs. If a deal seems too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is. If the utility supply price increases, remember that it’s due to market factors that also will increase alternative supplier prices. As volatile as gas utility prices are, your best bet for gas supply is likely with your utility and not with an alternative supplier. Read our tips. (Note: Only consumers in Northern Illinois have gas choice.)
- See if you qualify for energy assistance. Certain income-qualified consumers can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Oct. 1. To apply or learn more about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), visit this state of Illinois webpage. (Also, check out our Step by step guide to applying for LIHEAP.)
- More helpful resources:
If you can, consider moving away from gas: Visit our electrification page and order CUB’s free Better Heat Guide to learn how to make the transition to more efficient appliances, like electric heat pumps and induction stove tops.
