Illinois Electricity Bill Calculator
State: Illinois (IL) · Sector: Residential · EIA Benchmark: 16.00¢/kWh ($0.1600)
Period: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A)
Illinois residential electricity rates average 16.00¢/kWh according to EIA benchmarks. Illinois generates over half its total electricity from six zero-carbon commercial nuclear stations—the highest nuclear share in the nation.
EIA residential electricity price benchmark: 16.00¢/kWh
This is a state-average benchmark from EIA, not a guaranteed residential tariff. Your actual electricity bill can vary by utility, electricity plan, usage, fixed charges, taxes, riders, and other applicable charges.
Illinois Electricity Bill Calculator
Calculate your estimated power bill using the EIA Illinois benchmark, sample utility presets, or your custom residential rate.
Editable. Enter your total volumetric supply + delivery rate per kWh from your power bill.
Sample assumption for account & meter charges. Customer charges are utility-specific and not statewide; enter $0 if your tariff has no base charge.
Local municipal taxes and state regulatory riders vary by jurisdiction. Set to 0% for pure volumetric energy cost.
Illinois Electricity Bill Formula
The calculator distinguishes between the EIA Benchmark calculation (statewide weighted average) and a custom bill calculation with utility-specific parameters:
- Usage (kWh): Total monthly electrical energy consumed
- Rate ($/kWh): Blended volumetric energy supply & distribution rate (EIA benchmark or user tariff)
- Base Charge: Monthly customer meter service charge (utility-specific assumption)
- Taxes & Surcharges: Municipal utility taxes, environmental mandates, and regulatory riders
Worked Example: Average Illinois Household
Based on Illinois's average residential consumption of 720 kWh/month at the EIA benchmark rate of $0.1600/kWh (16.00¢/kWh):
Key Electricity Cost Drivers in Illinois
Residential electricity rates in Illinois reflect an EIA benchmark average of 16.00¢/kWh (ranking #19 in the US). Several key factors determine local power prices and monthly bills:
The nation’s largest commercial nuclear reactor fleet (Braidwood, Byron, Clinton, Dresden, LaSalle, and Quad Cities) providing reliable low-cost zero-carbon electricity
The landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) setting aggressive clean energy standards and Carbon Mitigation Credit mechanisms
A bifurcated regional grid structure: northern Illinois (ComEd) operates within PJM Interconnection, while downstate (Ameren) operates within MISO
Widespread municipal electricity aggregation where municipalities negotiate bulk electricity generation supply contracts for residents
⚙️ Market Structure & Utility Model: Deregulated (Retail Choice)
In Illinois, the electricity market is restructured. Consumers can shop for competitive retail electric generation supply from licensed Retail Electric Providers (REPs) or competitive suppliers, while their local regulated Electric Distribution Company or Transmission & Distribution Utility (EDC/TDU) delivers the power, maintains poles and wires, and resolves outages.
Nuclear (50%+), Natural Gas, Wind, Solar, Coal.
Supervised by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for safety, grid reliability, and customer rates.
State average of 720 kWh/month per residential account.
Major Electric Utilities Serving Illinois
Electricity distribution in Illinois is managed by Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) / Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs), municipal power systems, and rural electric cooperatives. In retail choice territories, these utilities deliver electricity regardless of which retail provider supplies the generation:
| Utility / Distribution Entity | Classification | Primary Service Territory | Official Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Edison (ComEd / Exelon) | Investor-Owned / EDC | Chicago metropolitan area, Cook County & Northern Illinois | Official Site ↗ |
| Ameren Illinois | Investor-Owned / EDC | Central and Southern Illinois (Peoria, Springfield, Rockford, Metro East) | Official Site ↗ |
| City Water, Light & Power (CWLP) | Municipal / Public | City of Springfield | Official Site ↗ |
| Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) | Rural Electric Co-op | 24 rural electric cooperatives across rural Illinois | Official Site ↗ |
How to Lower Your Illinois Electricity Bill
⚡ 1. Optimize Heating & Cooling Schedules
Heating and cooling account for over 50% of home electricity consumption. Setting smart thermostats to 78°F in summer and 68°F in winter can reduce monthly power costs by 10% to 15%.
🏷️ 2. Apply for Utility Bill Assistance
Low-income and senior households can access federal LIHEAP funding and utility-specific customer assistance programs for direct bill credits and weatherization support.
🌡️ 3. Claim Utility Rebates & Federal Tax Credits
Take advantage of federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 25C tax credits (up to $2,000) and electric utility rebates for high-efficiency heat pumps, hybrid water heaters, and insulation.
☀️ 4. Evaluate Rooftop Solar & Net Metering
Rooftop solar paired with net metering or time-of-use storage can offset high grid consumption and protect against long-term utility rate increases.
Illinois Electricity Cost Estimates by Household Usage
Estimated monthly bill for common consumption tiers using the Illinois EIA benchmark rate (16.00¢/kWh) with sample customer charge ($15.00) and tax (0.0%) assumptions:
1-bedroom apartment / condo
Illinois average household
Single-family home with AC/heating
High-consumption all-electric home or EV
Frequently Asked Questions: Illinois Electricity Bills
What is the average electric bill in Illinois in 2026? +
The average monthly residential electric bill in Illinois is approximately $115 to $130. Moderate average household electricity usage (720 kWh/month) due to widespread natural gas space heating helps keep total bills below the national average.
Why are ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric rates different? +
ComEd (serving Northern Illinois) operates in the PJM Interconnection wholesale grid market, while Ameren Illinois (serving Central and Southern Illinois) operates in the MISO grid market. Different wholesale capacity auction results, grid congestion, and local delivery infrastructure drive rate differences.
How does Municipal Electricity Aggregation work in Illinois? +
Under Illinois law (220 ILCS 5/1-92), local city councils and township boards can pass voter referendums to aggregate residential electricity demand and negotiate fixed-rate bulk supply contracts with alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES).
What is the ComEd Hourly Pricing program? +
ComEd Hourly Pricing is an optional residential rate where you pay the wholesale market price of electricity hour-by-hour rather than a fixed rate. Customers who can shift EV charging, laundry, and dishwasher loads to overnight hours can achieve significant annual savings.
How does the Illinois Shines solar incentive program work? +
Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program) provides significant upfront financial incentives through the purchase of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) for homeowners who install rooftop solar panels, on top of 1:1 net metering credits from ComEd or Ameren.
What electric bill payment assistance programs exist in Illinois? +
Illinois residents can access the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), which caps household electric bills at an affordable percentage of monthly household income.
Authoritative Data Sources & Verification
Residential electricity rate benchmarks for Illinois are derived from official published data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector)), the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), and utility regulatory tariff filings.
Dataset: Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector) · Sector: Residential · Source Period: June 2026 · Verified: 2026-06.
Independent Consumer Disclaimer
ElectricityBillCalc.com is an independent informational and calculation resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the State of Illinois, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), local utility providers, or the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Actual residential bills may vary based on exact utility service territory, solar export credits, medical baseline allowances, local municipal taxes, and seasonal rate revisions.