dpILLINOIS – Ameren Illinois customers will pay more for electricity this summer, but a consumer watchdog group says switching suppliers may end up costing even more.
Ameren’s summer supply price, June 1 through September 30, increased to 11.326 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The increase marks a roughly 39% jump from Ameren’s summer supply rate two years ago. Rising demand for electricity, including from new and proposed data centers, is among the factors pushing prices higher.
However, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a utility consumer advocacy group, still considers Ameren the better deal and warned that many alternative supplier offers could end up costing customers more.
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That’s because alternative electricity suppliers are facing the same market conditions driving up Ameren’s rates. While some companies may advertise lower prices, many offers include introductory rates that later increase, additional monthly fees, or contract terms that can lead to higher bills.
According to CUB estimates, Illinois consumers have lost about $2 billion to alternative electricity suppliers since 2015.
The organization warns consumers to watch for teaser rates that expire after a short period, hidden fees, and automatic contract renewals that can lock customers into more expensive plans.
Residents should avoid sharing utility bills or account numbers with door-to-door sales representatives to prevent unauthorized supplier switches, known as “slamming”.
Alternative suppliers only affect the supply portion of an electric bill and do not shield customers from future utility delivery-rate increases.
For customers looking to lower costs this summer, CUB recommends focusing on energy efficiency measures, exploring payment assistance programs, and comparing any supplier offer carefully before making a switch.
Ameren’s next supply rate, covering October 2026 through May 2027, is expected to decrease but has not yet been finalized.
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