Faver Dias Backs Efforts to Reduce Home Energy Costs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— State Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, passed comprehensive legislation to ease rising energy costs for Illinois families, and reduce home energy bills both now and in the future.

“Costs are rising for families across the state,” Faver Dias said. “People shouldn’t have to choose among covering utility bills, paying rent, or affording groceries. This legislation helps ease some of those energy costs while creating new jobs.”

Increased power demands from 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) helps Illinois 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 FaverDias 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.

“This legislation is a major win for every single Illinoisan. Jobs will be created, utility costs will be lowered, and renewable energy will be expanded,” Faver Dias said. “My colleagues and I will continue to find ways to ensure this state continues to drive economic growth.”