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Quote/Term of the Week
Public comment / noun
A way for residents to share opinions on existing or proposed policies with government officials.
Ex: At Chicago City Council, public comment takes place at the start of the meeting and speakers are usually given three minutes to share their thoughts.
Against gas rate hikes? Tell the Illinois Commerce Commission
Peoples Gas wants to institute a $202 million rate hike. If passed, customers would pay an average of another $11 a month, or about $130 a year.
Last month in the Newswire, we discussed the City Council meeting where community members and stakeholders urged alders to publicly call out Peoples Gas’ attempt to increase rates. However, anything alders do would be symbolic. The actual authority to allow utility companies to charge higher prices lies with the Illinois Commerce Commission.
The ICC is made up of five commissioners responsible for regulating public utilities (as well as other industries) under the guidance of the Illinois General Assembly. The ICC is quasi-judicial, meaning it functions similarly to a court as it interprets laws to apply regulations.
It will be up to the ICC commissioners to decide whether Peoples Gas can increase gas rates, which they are expected to decide later this year. Nicor, which serves over 2 million customers in northern Illinois, also is asking permission to raise their rates — just a few months after being approved for an increase. Nicor officials say the $221 million increase would average out to less than $6 a month more per household.
Tons of people showed up to the City Council meeting to share their stories and make their voices heard, but only one person showed up to give public comment at the more recent meeting of the ICC.
So, how can you get in touch with the people who will decide if your gas bills go up?
It’s not always easy to figure out how to give public comment. We’re here to help. The ICC offers a few different options:
File comment on the ICC website. Go here to make a comment on the Peoples Gas proposal or here to weigh on the Nicor Gas proposal.
Call the ICC at 800-524-0795.
Speak at an open ICC meeting.
If you like the idea of pulling up in person, here’s what you can do:
Find the meeting. Head to www.icc.illinois.gov. The ICC posts upcoming meetings under the “Calendar” tab about halfway down the homepage. Look for an upcoming “Illinois Commerce Commission Open Meeting” which is usually held on a monthly basis. Decide which meeting you plan to attend.
Go to the ICC public comment webpage. This page outlines the three options you have to give public comment, scroll down to option three: “Speak at a Commission Open Public Meeting” and click on “Instructions to Speak Before the Commission.”
Submit a public participation request form 24 hours before the meeting. Once you’re on the request form page, scroll down to “On-line Submission” and click “start.” You’ll have the option to say if you want to give your comment in person or remotely, and give a summary of what you want to say to the commission.
Make your comment: Once you submit your request to make public comment, the Chief Clerk’s Office will notify you as to whether your request has been granted or denied. All requests must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance.
The ICC’s next open meetings are scheduled for Thursday, April 2 and Thursday, April 9.
What you can do:
Follow the Citizens Utility Board: The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is advocating for lower utility bills, cleaner energy and consumer protections. Check out CUB’s website here and learn more about how you can take action.
Sign a petition: The Citizens Utility Board has ongoing petitions urging the ICC to stop approving rate hikes and campaigns to support legislation aimed at fair utilities. You can find out more on their action page.
A version of this story was first published in the April 1, 2026 issue of the Newswire, an email newsletter that is your weekly guide to Chicago government, civic action and what we can do to make our city great. You can sign up for the weekly newsletter here.
Have thoughts on what you'd like to see in this feature? Email Civic Editor Dawn Rhodes at dawn@citybureau.org.