Overview
- The Illinois Commerce Commission approved the negotiated settlement Thursday, cutting Nicor’s original $221 million request by roughly $139.2 million and leaving an $82 million increase.
- Residential customers will see the fixed monthly charge fall from $21.30 to $15.00 while typical bills rise about $2 per month when the increase takes effect in November.
- The agreement sets a 9.48% return on equity for Nicor, a middle ground between consumer groups’ 8.95% target and the company’s 10.35% request.
- As part of the deal negotiated by the attorney general’s office, Nicor agreed to maintain current union staffing levels through the end of 2027 and to drop its pending appeal of the 2025 ICC decision.
- The commission stressed it can scrutinize future spending, but consumer advocates warn the labor and investment commitments could be used to justify higher costs and they expect further rate filings in the months ahead.