Illinois Approves Electric Rate Encouraging Use of Clean Affordable Energy

(July 28, 2025) For the first time in Illinois’ history, all Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) residential customers will soon have the power to opt into a time-of-use rate option that will help them save money on their monthly energy bills by shifting usage to times of day when energy tends to be more affordable and cleaner. Previously, the time-of-use rate was open to fewer than 2,000 customers at a time. Of the customers that were allowed to participate, more than 98% benefited from bill savings. 

Designed to be similar to that successful pilot, the new Rate BEST option was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission at its July meeting in Springfield. The rate will be available to customers in June 2026. The Commission also recently approved a program that will give competitive energy suppliers access to the data they need to develop their own competitive time-varying rates plans before June 2026. 

“Starting in June 2026, ComEd’s Rate BEST option will help IL residential customers who want more control over their energy bills,” said Curt Stokes, Director and Senior Attorney at Environmental Defense Fund. “EDF and our partner, the Citizens Utility Board, have long fought for innovative rate designs that enable customers to save money by accessing cleaner, more affordable energy. Rate BEST will help Illinois customers choose a new time-of-use electricity rate designed to align with their energy usage patterns and benefit from a more sustainable and equitable energy future."