NW Illinois News

State Senator Andrew Chesney of Illinois' District 45 has announced a legislative initiative in response to anticipated energy price increases for consumers in the state. The Senate is considering a package of bills designed to reduce costs and ensure reliable, affordable power.

"Hold on to your wallets," said Andrew S. Chesney, Illinois State Senator (R), according to Facebook. "With summer around the corner energy prices are expected to spike again for Illinois consumers. Senate Republicans have a package of legislation that would bring down costs while ensuring reliable and affordable power now and in the long-run. Do you think Democrats will allow our bills to be heard?"

According to NPR, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) customers in northern Illinois are expected to see an additional $10.60 on their electric bills this summer. Ameren Illinois customers may face rate increases ranging from 18% to 22%. The Citizens Utility Board reports that ComEd attributes these increases to rising demand from data centers and manufacturing, as well as procedural issues affecting new renewable energy projects. Ameren cited similar reasons, with both utilities also pointing to pricing structures set by grid regulators. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has labeled the central and southern Illinois grid as being at "high risk" of not meeting energy demand over the next five years, while the northern grid faces an "elevated" risk.

Screenshot of State Sen. Andrew Chesney's May 23 Facebook post | State Senator Andrew Chesney's Facebook page

To address these concerns, Senate Republicans have introduced three bills aimed at improving energy reliability and affordability. Chesney is a co-sponsor of all three measures. Senate Bill 1234 proposes creating a task force to examine the impact of state policies on energy prices and reliability, including an assessment of how the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) affects energy availability. Senate Bill 1235 seeks to halt the planned closure of coal and natural gas plants by 2045 and allow for the construction of new gas peaker plants. Senate Bill 1236 would enable the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to expedite permits for new power plants.

The Senate GOP has also provided several recommendations for Illinois residents looking to potentially lower their energy bills this summer. These include ensuring air conditioning vents are clean and unobstructed, replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, closing shades during the day to block heat, and raising thermostats by five degrees if away for more than three hours.

Chesney has represented Illinois' 45th Senate District since 2022, having previously served in the state's 89th District from December 2018 onward. His public service record includes time on the Freeport City Council and involvement with Regional Access Mobilization Project (RAMP), which provides support services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He is also noted as a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.