Natural gas for heating and cooking is essential for Chicago residents, many of whom are already struggling to pay for essentials. The cost of food, medicine and housing are all increasing – and soon utilities like natural gas might be on that list.

Did you know that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is considering a proposal that would hike natural gas rates for residential customers? Peoples Gas has proposed an increase in gas rates that would cost customers an additional $142 a year.

The new proposal also increases the monthly customer charge from $30 to $44. That is the amount charged even before a customer turns on their stove or heater – and it’s an increase of nearly 45% over what customers are being charged now. These unavoidable fixed charges are not negotiable, so they make controlling individual household energy costs more challenging.

Chicagoans across the city are fed up with the rising cost of utilities and recently spoke out at a public hearing before the ICC.

“I’m a mother, a grandmother, a caregiver, and it’s hard. I just lost my mom not long ago. She was fragile and anemic, and it was a struggle to keep the heat on and to keep her warm,” said Donna Carpenter, an Englewood resident. “I know firsthand that this rate hike is going to hurt a lot of people.”

For many households the cost of natural gas will be too expensive. “When I was a child, my father was able to buy us a house due to his heroic efforts as a veteran. There were three to four years when our pipes were frozen, and we were without heat,” said Cornelia Simms, an Auburn Gresham resident. “All these years later, my sister and I are facing the same problem. We’re about to be without heat and have to rely on space heaters to heat our home.”

AARP is fighting against the Peoples Gas $402 million proposal to raise customers’ rates.

AARP has formally intervened before the ICC. As such, AARP is questioning the large rate increase and is urging the ICC to cut out unnecessary or unjustified spending. 

Read on to learn more about what’s happening, how AARP is working to prevent Illinois residents from having to pay more – and what you can do to help.

AARP fights utility rate hikes.

AARP is focusing on utility rate proposals to ensure utility companies like Peoples Gas receive only what is fair and reasonable – and not a dime more.

AARP wants customers to come first.

AARP knows that increases in monthly bills like utilities are an essential pocketbook issue for all Illinois residents, especially those ages 50 and older. Many of these residents and their families struggle to pay their utility bills and other household expenses like food and medicine. The economic effects of inflation and other pressures continue to jeopardize Chicagoans’ finances, and more must be done to help families maintain access to power at home.

AARP asks you to raise your voice.

AARP is mobilizing Illinoisians to fight back against unsupported rate hikes. Voice your opposition to the Peoples Gas rate increase by signing a petition at action.aarp.org/ILgas. Signing the petition only takes a moment – and it could help you and your neighbors avoid paying more money for access to natural gas.

Raise your voice before they raise your rates.