How Commercial Electricity Choice Works in Illinois
By Illinois Commercial Energy editorial team
Reviewed by JakenEnergy commercial energy team
Illinois has had competitive electricity supply for commercial customers for years, but the mechanics are widely misunderstood. This guide explains what "choice" actually means, who has it, and where it doesn't exist.
Delivery vs. supply
Every electricity bill has two functions:
- Delivery — the utility (ComEd or Ameren Illinois in most of the state) owns the wires and meter, delivers the power, and handles outages. This is regulated and stays with the utility.
- Supply — the electricity itself. This is the part an eligible business can buy from a competitive supplier (an ARES) or from the utility's default service.
"Choice" applies to supply only. Delivery, metering, riders, and taxes remain with the utility no matter who supplies the electricity — which is why applying a supply-price difference to the whole bill overstates any change.
Who is eligible
Eligible commercial and industrial customers in ComEd and Ameren Illinois territory can choose a supplier or stay on default service, per the Illinois Commerce Commission. Larger accounts have long had access to competitive supply; the specifics of eligibility depend on the account.
Where choice does not exist
Some Illinois cities own their electric systems and buy power on a full-requirements basis, so there is no separate supplier to choose:
- Naperville — city-owned electric utility supplied through IMEA.
- Springfield — City Water, Light & Power (CWLP), a municipal utility.
In these communities, commercial electricity supply is not shopped; the useful work is usage, efficiency, and — where applicable — natural gas.
What to do with this
Confirm your delivery utility from a bill, then, if you're in ComEd or Ameren territory, compare the utility default supply against a fully-loaded supplier offer using the price-to-compare guide. For the full overview, see commercial electricity in Illinois.
Sources
- Illinois Commerce Commission — Electric Choice Basics
- Illinois Power Agency — Electricity Supply Rates
- City of Naperville — Electric Utility
- City Water, Light & Power (Springfield)
Retail choice does not automatically save money; it is an option to be evaluated for a specific account.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat does electricity choice mean for an Illinois business?
In ComEd and Ameren Illinois territory, eligible commercial customers can buy the electricity supply from a licensed Alternative Retail Electric Supplier (ARES) or stay on the utility's default supply. The utility still delivers the power. Choice applies only to the supply portion of the bill, not delivery.
QDo all Illinois businesses have electricity choice?
No. Businesses in ComEd and Ameren territory generally do, but communities served by a municipal electric utility — such as Naperville or Springfield — buy power through the city and cannot choose a separate supplier. Whether choice applies depends on the delivery utility for the address.
QDoes choosing a supplier change reliability?
No. The delivery utility continues to own the wires and meter, read the meter, and respond to outages regardless of the supplier. A supplier only affects the supply price and contract terms, not the physical delivery of electricity.