SOUTHERN ILLINOIS – Legislation sponsored by State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) to provide Illinois consumers with greater transparency about charges and fees appearing on their monthly electric bills has been signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker.
House Bill 5524 requires the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) to prepare and publish a report explaining the various taxes, fees, and surcharges that appear on Illinois electric utility bills. Beginning January 1, 2027, the report will identify each charge, explain its purpose, note whether it is required by state or federal law or approved by a regulatory agency, and indicate whether the revenue is remitted to the State of Illinois or retained by the utility.
“I appreciate the Governor signing this commonsense consumer protection measure into law,” said Rep. Severin. “Illinois families deserve to know exactly what they’re paying for when they open their monthly electric bill. This new law will provide greater transparency, improve accountability, and give consumers a straightforward resource to better understand the various taxes, fees, and surcharges that affect the cost of electricity.
The legislation passed both chambers of the General Assembly with unanimous bipartisan support.
“Consumers shouldn’t have to guess what they’re paying for when they receive their monthly electric bill,” said Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro). “By making information about utility fees and surcharges easier to access and understand, this law helps provide the transparency Illinois ratepayers deserve.”
Rep. Severin thanked Senator Bryant for sponsoring the legislation in the Senate and for helping advance the measure through the General Assembly.
Once published, COGFA’s report will provide Illinois consumers with a centralized, easy-to-understand explanation of the taxes, fees, and surcharges included on their monthly electric bills, helping ratepayers better understand the costs they pay each month.