DECATUR, IL… State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) issued the following statement after Governor JB Pritzker signed two bills related to utility bills and energy costs.
HB 5524 requires the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) to prepare and publish a report explaining the taxes, fees, and surcharges that appear on Illinois electric utility bills beginning January 1, 2027.
HB 4456 expands eligibility for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level and codifies the Base Energy Assistance Charge into state law to recover the costs of the discount program from other ratepayers.
The Base Energy Assistance Charge will be $0.80 per month for customers served by utilities required to offer a low-income discount program and $0.40 per month for customers served by utilities that contribute to the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund but are not required to offer the discount program.
Rep. Deering supported HB 5524, calling it a much-needed transparency measure for Illinois consumers.
“HB 5524 is a perfect example of how government should operate by prioritizing transparency for residents,” said Rep. Deering. “This new law allows Illinoisans to know exactly what their utility bills include and what they are being asked to pay for. My hope is that this legislation will lead to much-needed accountability and, ultimately, energy cost relief for Illinois families.”
However, Deering opposed HB 4456, saying the legislation increases costs for consumers already struggling with higher household expenses without addressing the underlying causes of rising energy prices.
“This legislation should serve as a wake-up call that Illinois needs lower utility costs for everyone,” said Deering. “This new law sets a troubling precedent by allowing the General Assembly to add additional charges to the utility bills of families who are already struggling to make ends meet instead of addressing the root of the problem. Rather than implementing a temporary fix that simply shifts costs onto other customers, the General Assembly should focus on increasing energy production and delivering meaningful cost relief.”
HB 4456 took effect immediately. HB 5524 takes effect January 1, 2027.
For more information, please contact Rep. Deering’s office at (217) 876-1968 or visit RepDeering.com.