‘People say enough is enough’ — Citizens Utility Board fighting record-breaking gas rate hike

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The largest gas rate hike in Illinois history could be coming soon.

Nicor Gas submitted a major price hike request back in January — $309 million — and the ICC still has seven more months before it makes an official ruling. However, the Citizens Utility Board has remained consistent in its messaging against the request.

“Consumer advocates argue that Nicor Gas’s bid for a record-breaking rate hike is rife with excess and fat and is more than double what the company can possibly justify,” said Jim Chilsen, the CUB’s Communications Director.

If passed, it would raise average gas bills statewide by $7.50 a month, or $90 a year.

“People say enough is enough,” Chilsen said. “And that’s why we urge Illinois regulators to cut this rate hike by more than half.”

Nicor has received a total of about $724 million in rate hikes since 2018:

• $93 million in 2018
• $168 million in 2019
• $240 million in 2021
• $223 million in 2023.

“Excessive rate hikes are never good for consumers,” Chilsen said. “We hear from Nicor Gas customers all the time who are having a hard time affording their bills because Nicor has been escalating bills over the last decade.”

In a statement to WCIA 3, a spokesperson for Nicor Gas said the following:

It’s a fact that natural gas is more than three times more affordable than other energy sources and is projected to be 30% to 50% less than other fuels through 2050. We believe that every customer deserves reliable energy service at a price they can afford. Many Americans are facing challenging times, and no one wants to see rising energy bills. We want our customers to understand their bills and why the company is requesting to adjust rates that would allow Nicor Gas to meet those energy demands — especially during extreme weather — while helping make homes more efficient and providing energy assistance.”
Nicole Frett, Nicor spokesperson

A decision on this issue is expected in November.