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A Guide to Comparing Illinois Electricity Rates
Table of Contents
Why Switch Providers?
Average Illinois Electricity Costs
The average residential Illinois electricity rate is 16.19¢ per kWh, which is the 14th highest average rate in the US. However, Illinois residents tend to be more energy-efficient, averaging 721 kWh of electricity consumption per month. This leads the residents to have one of the lowest average electric bills in the nation at $93.98 a month.
How Does Illinois Compare Nationally?
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16.19¢ Average Rate per/kWh (as of April 2025) 14th Highest Nationally -
669 kWh Average Usage per/mo 36th Highest Nationally -
$105.11 Average Cost per/mo 46th Highest Nationally
Illinois is relatively new to energy deregulation and many residents may not even be aware they have a choice in an electricity provider. While residential customers have been able to participate in Energy Choice and compare Illinois electricity rates since 2002, it wasn’t until 2007 that major competition started flooding the market when the deregulation transition was finalized. Since then, retail electricity providers have been gaining customers by offering rates much lower than the default utilities.
Today, the Illinois energy market is saturated with many of these retail electric suppliers. Residents and businesses in both utility regions have numerous different providers and plans to choose from. As new low-cost providers continue to enter the IL energy market, price competition is becoming more fierce which means more savings for residents and businesses.
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Public Utilities in Illinois
Illinois natural gas and electric utilities include:
The Illinois Commerce Commission monitors and regulates all public utilities in Illinois. It is important to remember that, whether you switch or not, the electricity will still be generated from these utilities. That means there will be no change in reliability and the utilities will still service any electrical outages.
Utility Current Price to Compare
| Utility Name | Price to Compare (¢/kWh) | Effective Date | Electricityrates.com Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ameren | 12.18¢ | June 1, 2025 | 11.30¢ |
| ComEd | 10.03¢ | June 1, 2025 | 9.89¢ |
Comparing Illinois Electricity Rates
The most important thing to consider when selecting an Illinois electricity provider is rate pricing. For instance, you’ll want to find a retail provider that offers a lower rate than what you are currently paying, which is referred to as the “Price-to-Compare” and can be found on your utility bill. This rate is expressed in cents per kWh. Keep in mind, even a slight difference can result in large cost savings.
There are other factors that you will want to consider before switching providers:
- Variable v. Fixed Pricing – Variable pricing can vary by day or month, is based on the market price for the retail electricity provider, and can be very unpredictable. With fixed pricing, customers can pay one low rate that will never change until the contract expires.
- Length of the Contract – Contract terms can last for as little as one month or as long as 36 months. Shorter contracts may offer lower rates, but longer contracts lock in low rates for long periods and reduce the risk of high rates when the contract expires. The ICC recommends choosing a 12- or 24-month contract to avoid risk.
- Other Switching Incentives – Some retail electric suppliers in the state offer sign-up bonuses, rewards programs, guaranteed savings, and more.
- Green/Renewable Electricity – Looking to be more environmentally conscious? Many providers offer partial or 100% renewable electricity options to residents and small businesses. While the rates are higher than traditional electric sources, the availability of renewable electricity has driven costs down and can often be found for less than the utility’s Price to Compare for traditional electricity.
To help you find the best retail electricity provider for your energy needs, ElectricityRates.com has a free Rate Comparison Tool located at the top of the page. With the tool, you can compare electric rates in Illinois by viewing the best plans from top electric suppliers in your area. Simply type in your ZIP Code to view a list.
When customers switch providers, the utility still delivers the electricity, sends electric bills, and maintains wires, poles, and other infrastructure. No matter who supplies the electricity, the reliability of the service will not change. Learn more about energy providers in Illinois.
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All Illinois Electricity Providers
Ambit Energy
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Ambit Energy provides electricity and natural gas to customers in 17 areas of the United States with deregulated energy markets. Ambit operates in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Champion Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.42 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Champion Energy is a retail electricity provider serving hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses, primarily in Texas. As a subsidiary of Calpine, one of the largest natural gas and geothermal electricity generators, this provider brings a solid selection of affordable energy solutions to the retail electricity market.
Clearview Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.48 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas DC, IL, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI
Provider Bio
Serving 8 states and the District of Columbia, Clearview Energy offers competitive energy plans and world-class customer service while supporting sustainability efforts, like the Shaw Institute and the Scripps Polar Center. Because we care about our customers - today and for generations to come.
Constellation
- Provider Score™ 4.82 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, DC, GA, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Constellation is the nation's leading provider of carbon-free energy with a commitment to be 100% carbon-free by 2040. They serve over 2.5 million residential and business customers across the United States.
Direct Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.64 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, DC, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Serving nearly 4 million residential customers, Direct Energy is one of the largest electricity, natural gas and home services providers in North America. They are also one of the largest commercial and industrial electricity with over 240,000 business electricity customers.
Energy Harbor
- Provider Score™ 4.39 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas IL, MD, OH, PA
Provider Bio
Energy Harbor is a retail energy provider specializing in providing clean, carbon-free energy for residents and businesses. They’re headquartered in Akron, Ohio and serve nearly one-million customers across Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Safety, reliability and sustainability are outlined as Energy Harbor’s core values.
Energy Plus
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA
Provider Bio
Based out of Philadelphia, Energy Plus is one of the fastest-growing electricity providers in the country. The company started only recently and has already grown to serve almost all of the states that have implemented electricity deregulation, starting with New York, but expanding to include much of the Northeast, Illinois, and Texas.
Green Mountain Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.31 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Green Mountain Energy is the oldest renewable retail electricity provider. Since its founding in 1997, Green Mountain Energy has expanded into seven electricity markets, with its customers avoiding nearly 100 billion pounds of carbon emissions through its renewable energy plans and services.
Inspire Clean Energy
- Provider Score™ 4.13 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas DC, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA
Provider Bio
Inspire Clean Energy is on a mission to transform the way people access clean energy in order to combat climate change and accelerate a net-zero carbon future.
Just Energy
- Energy Options
- Service Areas GA, IL, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Founded in 1997, Just Energy is a publicly traded company with offices located across the United States, Canada and now the United Kingdom. Just Energy serves over 1.1 million residential and commercial customers through a wide range of energy programs and home comfort services.
Major Energy
- Provider Score™ 3.24 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, DC, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA
Provider Bio
Major Energy is an electricity company based out of Houston that serves deregulated electricity and natural gas markets throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Major Energy offers multiple fixed-rate electricity plans, and also provides the ability to manage your account online.
Public Power
- Provider Score™ 4.29 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, DC, IL, MA, MD, NY, OH, PA, RI
Provider Bio
Public Power is a retail energy provider that serves states throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Since 2008, they have served over one million homes and businesses. They pride themselves on offering competitive, and straight-forward energy plans with hassle-free customer service.
SmartEnergy
- Provider Score™ 3.43 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas DC, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, OH, PA, RI
Provider Bio
SmartEnergy is proud to offer 100% green energy. It's their mission to prove that helping the environment doesn’t have to come at the expense of your wallet. They promise social responsibility while providing uncompromisable service to their customers.
Spark Energy
- Provider Score™ 3.98 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, IL, MA, NJ, NY, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Spark Energy was found in 1999 in Houston, Texas and was an early pioneer in the retail energy market. Spark Energy prides itself on 3 specialties that set them apart from the rest: energy savings knowledge, customer service and community support.
Tara Energy
- Energy Options
- Service Areas IL, TX
Provider Bio
Tara Energy has served as a leading provider of electricity to hundreds of thousands of residential and commercial customers. Tara Energy is a subsidiary of Just Energy Group Inc., a publicly-traded company with 1.8 million active customers across North America with affiliate companies.
Xoom Energy
- Provider Score™ 3 / 5
- Energy Options
- Service Areas CT, IL, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX
Provider Bio
Xoom Energy is an independent energy provider that provides natural gas and electricity services in 19 states and over 100 utility markets nationwide. As one of the fastest-growing energy providers in the US, Xoom Energy was listed on the Forbes Inc. 5000 list in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Illinois Electricity Rates FAQs
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The average residential electricity rate in Illinois is 13.04¢ per kWh, which is close to the national average of 13.15¢ per kWh. However, because Illinois residents consume less electricity on average, the state has the 4th lowest average electricity bill in the nation at $93.98 per month.
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If you want to find your current Illinois electricity supply rate, look at your most recent electricity bill. You can find your electricity supply rate there. If your utility supplies your electricity, use the “Price to Compare” listed on your bill.
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In Illinois, your utility provider and electricity provider perform two different services. Utility providers deliver electricity to your home and bill you. They also own, operate and maintain the infrastructure that distributes electricity to your home. Electricity providers supply the electricity you use. You can switch electricity providers in Illinois. However, your utility provider will always remain the same as long as you live within its service area, no matter who your electricity provider is.
