Harper Backs Efforts to Reduce Home Energy Costs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, passed comprehensive legislation to ease rising energy costs for Illinois families and reduce home energy bills both now and in the future.

“If our already working families go to work, or even pick up extra shifts in hopes of paying their bills, only to receive their bills and have to choose between basic necessities, that can cause them to lose hope and put their mental health in a terrible place,” Harper said. “We don’t want that, and that’s why this legislation is key—it will help get our families on the right track to living fulfilling lives.”

Many Illinois residents have seen home energy costs skyrocket. Increased power demands from new high-tech businesses and Washington’s massive tax bill threaten to raise costs even further—resulting in $9.5 billion in increased state energy costs. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (Senate Bill 25) puts Illinois on better footing to counteract rising energy costs. 

Beginning in 2026, utility customers in Northern Illinois will receive a monthly Carbon Mitigation Credit, reducing home energy bills by up to $11 every month. Building on these savings, the bill advanced by Harper includes major innovations to generate and store energy, and bring down costs even further, including:

 Ensuring all homeowners benefit from the savings produced by new green energy. A new network of “virtual power plants” will ensure that surplus power generated by home solar panels and other green energy sources is redistributed across the system to help bring down costs for all customers. 

 Increasing battery storage by deploying cutting-edge methods to capture and store energy. The sun doesn’t always shine and wind doesn’t always blow, but battery storage can capture and preserve that energy—acting like insurance for our power system.

 Investing in energy efficiency programs. Senate Bill 25 directly expands energy efficiency programs for residents, lowering electricity prices by reducing overall demand. The measure also improves equity in energy efficiency programs by allocating a
minimum amount of funds to support low-income customers. 

The measure will additionally create up to 115,000 jobs, counteracting job insecurity and layoffs caused by the federal budget bill— including over 50,000 lost manufacturing jobs in Illinois. As utility demands increase during the fall and winter months, Senate Bill 25 will play a significant role in meeting the state’s energy needs, strengthening reliability and helping manage untenable costs for customers for both short- and long-term relief.

“A powerful economy means a better life for everyone,” Harper said. “This legislation delivers jobs, lowers costs, and helps move our state in the right direction.”