Public Forum in Joliet Brings Together Nicor Gas Customers to Protest Record Rate Hike

Public Forum in Joliet Addresses Nicor Gas Rate Hike

On Monday evening, June 9, 2025, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) will host a public forum at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater in Joliet. This event serves as a platform for disgruntled Nicor Gas customers and consumer advocates who are raising their voices against a staggering proposed rate hike of $308.6 million from Nicor Gas. Should this rate hike be approved, it would not only mark the largest increase in Illinois history but also further burden the already strained budgets of many households across the state.

In recent years, utility rate hikes have become a commonplace concern among Illinois residents. Nicor Gas has filed for five significant rate increases since 2017, totaling a shocking 114 percent increase in delivery rates. The escalating costs have left many customers, particularly older adults on fixed incomes, feeling increasingly frustrated and helpless against the utility’s ongoing financial demands. Many are questioning where their money is going, especially in light of a reported profit of $25.2 billion for Nicor's parent company, Southern Company.

Consumer advocates have worked tirelessly to document the overwhelming dissatisfaction among Nicor customers. Hundreds of people have signed petitions opposing the latest rate hike, expressing their concerns through public comments submitted to the ICC. Al Hollenbeck, the Volunteer State President of AARP Illinois, stated, “Northern Illinoisans have told us that they oppose the proposed increase from Nicor. This hike, on top of several other utility hikes in recent years, impacts older adults who are struggling to keep up with the cost of living,” emphasizing the discriminatory impact the rate hike would have on vulnerable populations.

Mardi Klevs, a Nicor customer and volunteer for the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), echoed this sentiment, asserting, “Nicor Gas customers have endured serial rate hikes and they are fed up.” She continued, “In this latest money-grab, customers can clearly see Nicor is trying to make them pay for excessive shareholder profits and executive bonuses, and they’re saying ‘Enough is enough!’”

The Attorney General’s Office, along with consumer advocacy groups such as AARP Illinois, Illinois PIRG, and CUB, stands united in contesting Nicor's recent rate hike request. They argue that the proposal is not just excessive but unjustifiable based on existing laws. Their analysis has uncovered over $150 million in alleged overcharges, hinting at exorbitant executive bonuses, and excessive profit margins that cannot be rationalized.

As anticipation builds for the public forum, community members are eager to collectively voice their discontent regarding Nicor's rate hike attempt. Consumers are especially worried that the proposed increase could result in an average rise in gas bills of around 9 percent, translating to about $7.50 a month, or $90 annually. This latest proposal would push Nicor's total rate hikes over the last decade to alarming totals exceeding $1 billion.

The ICC is expected to issue a final ruling in November regarding the rate hike request. In the interim, consumer education and advocacy efforts will continue to shed light on the challenges Illinois residents face in managing utility costs.

AARP stands as a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals aged 50 and older, focusing on health security, financial stability, and purpose-driven living. For nearly 40 years, Illinois' CUB has fought on behalf of residential and small-business utility customers, achieving verification for saved consumer funds over $20 billion by preventing unreasonable rate increases.

With such vital issues at stake, Tuesday's forum aims to provide a crucial platform for community voices, ensuring their concerns are heard loud and clear. As utilities leverage their power, citizens have come together to demand accountability and fairness in rate-setting.

For more information on this forum and ongoing advocacy efforts against unjust utility rates, community members can visit AARP Illinois and Citizens Utility Board CUB's website, or call CUB's Consumer Hotline at 1-800-669-5556.