If you’ve gotten a letter about municipal electric aggregation, you’re not alone. My office keeps hearing the same questions: Is this a scam? What is this? What am I supposed to do?
Electric bills keep climbing, and years of flawed energy policy in Springfield are a big reason why. That’s part of why these notices are getting so much attention right now.
So let’s break down what municipal electric aggregation actually is.
It’s a program where your city or village negotiates the electricity supply part of your bill on behalf of residents and small businesses. By buying electricity in bulk, the community tries to lock in a better rate for everyone who takes part.
Here’s the part most people don’t realize: in most towns with an aggregation program, you’re automatically enrolled unless you opt out.
That’s why the letter matters. If you’re happy staying in the program, you don’t have to do anything. If it’s not right for your household, follow the opt-out instructions in your notice. One more thing worth knowing: even though the notice lists a deadline, you can actually opt out at any point during the program with no penalty. If you opt out, you’ll automatically move to the utility’s standard supply program, called Basic Generation Service, for 12 months.
No matter who supplies your electricity, your delivery doesn’t change. Ameren still runs the power lines, fixes outages, and sends your bill. The only thing that changes is who you’re buying the electricity itself from.
So what should you do? Do a little homework.
Compare your community’s aggregation rate to Ameren’s current supply rate, called the “Price to Compare,” at PlugIn.Illinois.gov. Right now Ameren’s rate is 11.326 cents through September 30, and it’s expected to drop to around 9-10 cents from October through May 2027.
Read what came with your notice. Know the terms, and note the opt-out deadline if you plan to leave. A community-sponsored program isn’t automatically the cheapest option, but it isn’t automatically the worst one either. It depends on the rates and what works for your household.
Municipal aggregation can help some families save on their electric bill, but it’s not a fix for Illinois’ bigger energy problems. Families shouldn’t have to shop around just to find an affordable bill in the first place. We need energy policy that prioritizes reliability and affordability from the start.
Here’s the bigger picture. Our region relies on a power grid that spans several states, and for several years now, downstate Illinois has been importing more electricity than it produces here at home. I’ll keep working with my colleagues in Springfield to fix the policies driving up energy costs and to build an energy future that actually works for Illinois families.
In the meantime, don’t ignore the notice. Whether you stay in your community’s program or opt out, take a few minutes to understand your options. It could save you money.
