In July 2026, homes in Illinois paid an average of 19.22¢ per kWh, the 17th most expensive of the 50 states and DC and 5.0% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢.
That price is up 11.6% from a year earlier.
Over the past 12 months the average home in Illinois used 700 kWh a month, for an average bill of $132 (U.S.: $157).
About electricity in Illinois
Nuclear plants produce about half of Illinois's electricity, one of the highest nuclear shares in the country, and the state generates far more power than it uses. Households in Illinois can choose a retail electricity supplier.
- nuclear 50%
- natural gas 17%
- coal 16%
- wind 13%
- solar 3%
The Illinois Commerce Commission is the state agency that regulates electric utilities in Illinois.
What drives electricity prices in Illinois
Illinois produces more nuclear power than any other state, and its six nuclear plants make about half of its electricity. Wind farms, coal and natural gas make up most of the rest, and the state sends a large share of its power to neighbors.
The state is split between two regional grids. The Chicago area and northern Illinois, served by ComEd, are part of PJM, while central and southern Illinois, served by Ameren, are part of MISO. Wholesale prices and capacity costs differ between the two, so bills in Chicago and in Springfield can move in different directions. Since mid-2025, PJM's record capacity prices have raised costs for ComEd customers.
Households in both areas can choose a retail supplier, and many cities buy power for residents through municipal aggregation. State laws passed in 2016 and 2021 support the nuclear fleet and fund renewable energy through charges on bills.
Average electric bill in Illinois
Over the last 12 months the average Illinois home paid $132 a month for electricity, the 12th lowest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 the average bill was $193 for 1,005 kWh.
Over the last 12 months, homes in Illinois used the most electricity in July, when air conditioning drives usage up: an average of 1,005 kWh and a $193 bill. The lightest month was May, at 514 kWh and $123.
What would I pay?
| Monthly use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh × 19.22¢typical | $96.10 | $1,153 |
| 1,000 kWh × 19.22¢ | $192.20 | $2,306 |
| 1,500 kWh × 19.22¢ | $288.30 | $3,460 |
| 2,000 kWh × 19.22¢ | $384.40 | $4,613 |
Estimate your own bill
Cost of electricity in Illinois by month
Businesses in Illinois paid 15.19¢ per kWh in July 2026 (the 15th most expensive for business power), and industrial users paid 11.87¢. See business electricity rates in Illinois.
Electric companies in Illinois
25 utilities deliver electricity to homes in Illinois. The largest is Commonwealth Edison Co, serving 3,753,924 homes.
| Utility | Homes served | Avg. home rate |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Edison Co | 3,753,924 | 17.71¢ |
| Ameren Illinois Company | 1,062,810 | 16.70¢ |
| MidAmerican Energy Co | 73,481 | 9.99¢ |
| City of Springfield | 59,366 | 13.09¢ |
| City of Naperville | 57,225 | 14.61¢ |
| Corn Belt Energy Corporation | 34,952 | 15.59¢ |
| Southwestern Electric Coop Inc | 24,414 | 15.37¢ |
| Southeastern IL Elec Coop, Inc | 22,607 | 14.80¢ |
| Norris Electric Coop | 18,163 | 15.06¢ |
| Jo-Carroll Energy, Inc | 17,278 | 20.49¢ |
"Avg. home rate" is what each utility's full-service residential customers paid on average in 2025 (revenue ÷ kWh sold). Delivery-only utilities have no full-service rate.
Can you choose your electricity supplier in Illinois?
Yes. Households in Illinois can buy electricity from a licensed retail supplier instead of their utility; the utility still delivers the power and handles outages.
Compare current offers on the official state site: Plug In Illinois.
Largest retail suppliers in Illinois by residential customers (2025):
- MC Squared Energy Services, LLC (263,681 homes)
- Homefield Energy (147,108 homes)
- Reliant Energy Northeast LLC (142,167 homes)
- Constellation NewEnergy, Inc (125,423 homes)
- Direct Energy Services (42,984 homes)
Listed by size only, as reported to EIA. This is not a recommendation.
Illinois compared with neighboring states
| State | Price per kWh | Avg. monthly bill (12 mo.) |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 13.81¢ | $154 |
| Iowa | 15.99¢ | $121 |
| Missouri | 16.09¢ | $145 |
| Indiana | 16.73¢ | $158 |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢ | $124 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $132 |
Illinois electricity FAQ
What is the average electric bill in Illinois?
The average home in Illinois paid $132 a month over the last 12 months, using 700 kWh. That is the 12th lowest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 alone, the average bill was $193.
How much does electricity cost per kWh in Illinois?
Homes paid an average of 19.22¢ per kWh in July 2026, 5.0% above the U.S. average of 18.31¢. Businesses paid 15.19¢ per kWh.
Which month has the highest electric bills in Illinois?
July, in the last 12 months of data: the average bill reached $193 (1,005 kWh), compared with $123 in May, the lowest month.
Can I choose my electricity provider in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois lets households buy electricity from a retail supplier, while the local utility still delivers it. Compare offers on Plug In Illinois, the official state site.
What are the largest electric companies in Illinois?
By number of residential customers in 2025: Commonwealth Edison Co (3,753,924), Ameren Illinois Company (1,062,810), MidAmerican Energy Co (73,481).
Latest IL electric rates, bills and usage: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail sales data (forms EIA-861M and EIA-861), latest month July 2026. Utilities and suppliers: EIA-861 (2025). Bills and usage are revenue and sales divided by customers. Last updated 2026-10-20.