Independent resource. Not affiliated with any utility or energy provider. Data sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.Verified July 2026
Illinois Electricity Cost 2026: 23.85¢/kWh
Illinois residential electricity rates average 23.85 cents per kWh in 2026, +29.3% vs the 18.44¢ US national average. The state operates a deregulated retail market with nuclear as the primary generation source.
State Rate
23.85
cents/kWh
Monthly Bill
$206
at 863 kWh
vs National
+29.3%
national avg 18.44¢
Rank (cheapest first)
40/50
YoY change +28.4%
Market Type
Deregulated
Residential customers can shop for a supplier
Primary Generation
Nuclear
per EIA State Energy Profile
Annual Bill (avg usage)
$2,470
vs national $1,910
Illinois electricity market
Deregulated state served on the delivery side by ComEd (northern Illinois) and Ameren Illinois (central and southern). Residential customers can shop for supply on Plug In Illinois (the state PUC tool) and Citizens Utility Board guides. Many Chicago-area municipalities run electricity aggregation programs that buy supply on behalf of all residents.
Where Illinois residents save
Active shopping or participating in a municipal aggregation can save 5-15% on the supply portion vs the utility default. ComEd offers Hourly Pricing, a TOU plan where rates reflect wholesale market prices; this works well for households that can shift loads but carries upside risk during summer peaks.
Primary utilities
- ComEd (Commonwealth Edison)
- Ameren Illinois
- Plug In Illinois (state shopping portal)
Official Illinois supplier comparison tool
Illinois runs an official, vendor-neutral supplier comparison portal. Use it to see all licensed retail suppliers serving your ZIP code, compare per-kWh supply rates, and check contract terms before signing up.
Plug In Illinois →Illinois bill estimates by usage
| Home Profile | Monthly kWh | Monthly Bill | Annual Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment | 500 | $119 | $1,431 |
| Small house | 750 | $179 | $2,147 |
| Average household | 863 | $206 | $2,470 |
| Large house | 1200 | $286 | $3,434 |
| Large house + EV | 1500 | $358 | $4,293 |
Estimates use the Illinois state-average rate of 23.85¢/kWh from EIA data. Your actual bill includes delivery charges, customer-service fees, and state/local taxes already blended into this retail rate, plus any locality-specific surcharges not captured at the state-average level.