If your electric bill felt like a tough pill to swallow last summer, brace yourself… it’s about to get more expensive again here in 2026.
Starting June 1st, Ameren Illinois’ summer electric rate will jump to 11 cents per kilowatt hour, that’s a 29% increase over what customers are paying right now. The rate will stay in effect through September before resetting to a lower rate in October of this year, which will then remain in place through May of 2027. While the new rate is actually slightly lower than last summer’s peak, that 29 percent jump from current prices is enough to make a real dent in household budgets over these next few months.
The Citizens Utility Board, also known as ‘CUB,’ is sounding the alarm early. The organization says depending on the weather and individual usage, customers could end up paying well over $100 more to cool their homes this Summer. CUB’s Director of Communications Jim Chilsen pointed to two main culprits behind the increase: a surge in energy demand driven largely by the rapid growth of data centers, and what he described as poor pricing policy from ‘MISO,’ the power grid operator for Central and Southern Illinois.
Chilsen was clear that Ameren itself isn’t pocketing the extra money. The increased revenue flows through customer bills and ultimately lands with large power generators who supply electricity during periods of peak demand.
CUB is also warning customers not to jump ship to alternative energy suppliers just because rates have gone up. Chilsen said that despite the increase, Ameren is likely still your best option for utility supply.
The rate increase is temporary. Starting in October, rates will drop back down and remain lower through May 31st, 2027.
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