Chung-Backed Legislation to Address Rising Energy Costs Signed Into Law

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A new law signed on Thursday will provide Illinoisans immediate and long-term utility bill relief by bringing down energy costs, thanks to legislation supported by state Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington.

“Too many people in our community are struggling to pay their utility bills because the cost of living is simply too high,” said Chung. “Energy costs are not controlled by the state government, but what we do have control of is how to manage the supply of energy resources for Illinoisans. This legislation reimagines how we capture and store clean energy, creating job opportunities and lowering utility bills in the process.”

Over the last year, many Illinois residents have grappled with untenable utility bill costs. Senate Bill 25, The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, puts Illinois on better footing to counteract rising energy prices by tapping into:

• Capturing clean energy: By capturing and redistributing energy already being produced, including from home solar panels, Ameren and ComEd customers can see immediate relief on monthly costs.
• Increasing battery storage: By building out our grid to increase the state’s battery storage, power systems will become more reliable and affordable to power millions of Illinois homes.
• Investing in energy efficiency programs: Senate Bill 25 directly expands energy efficiency programs for residents, lowering electricity prices by reducing overall demand, and improves equity in programs by allocating a minimum amount of funds to support low-income customers.

Additionally, the measure will create up to 115,000 jobs, counteracting job insecurity and layoffs caused by federal cuts. As utility demands increase during the 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. 

“Harnessing the expansion of clean energy has already ushered in major job growth in Bloomington and the surrounding area,” Chung said. “By continuing to invest in green power options, a more stable grid and new infrastructure, Illinois will grow into a nationwide leader in modern technologies, spurring even more job opportunities and making life easier for our entire community.”

 

Senate Bill 25 was signed earlier today.