McHenry Times

State Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) urged Illinoisans to exercise energy conservation, avoid scams, and verify if they're eligible for energy assistance for the coming winter in a social media post.

Reick's statement comes after the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) warned Illinoisans that this winter might be one of the most costly in state history.

"As Illinois prepares for what could be one of the most expensive winters in state history, the Citizens Utility Board is reminding energy customers to see if they qualify for energy assistance, stay in contact with their utility, beware of alternative supplier rip-offs, and follow tips for energy efficiency," Reick stated in a Facebook post.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) reports that Ameren Illinois' power costs were 126% higher on Oct. 1, 2022, compared on Oct. 1, 2021.

Additionally, Ameren anticipated in June that Illinois customers' bills could be roughly $50 more than normal.

"This winter, nobody should take risks to lower their utility bills,  CUB Executive Director David Kolata said, "The safest, most reliable way to fight these price spikes is through energy efficiency; We're asking all Illinois consumers to look out for each other and make sure friends, family and neighbors are staying safe and warm."

This increase in energy prices is due to a number of factors, including an increase in natural gas prices, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and possible reserve power limitations in Central and Southern Illinois, according to a Wirepoints report. The report also cites Illinois’ Clean Energy and Jobs Act (CEJA) as a factor in driving up costs and reducing capacity

The legislation, which its sponsors called “the most aggressive, most progressive climate bill in the nation," will require Illinois to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2050.

“Illinois has continued to fail miserably to provide enough renewable energy, and we’ve told them repeatedly you can’t shut down coal and gas plants unless you have enough energy to backfill it, and that’s what happening now,” Mark Denzler, president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association stated.

ABC7 News reports that roughly a third of households in the Chicagoland region have reduced or completely cut out basic needs such as food and medication, while 20% of households maintained their homes at a colder temperature than was comfortable in an effort to manage their energy costs.

The report also cites "recent public policy" that promotes solar or wind energy over traditional sources of energy as a cause for the price increases.