What to establish before acting
ComEd and Ameren Illinois have different delivery tariffs and regional market contexts; ComEd is associated with PJM and Ameren Illinois with MISO. Do not merge their default supply or network charges into one supposed Illinois business rate. For gas, identify Nicor, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, or the actual LDC separately. Gather contracts and usage before seeking offers. Verify supplier and intermediary entities through ICC resources and read the actual price scope, fees, notices, and operating-change provisions.
Illustrative decision boundary
An illustrative company compares a ComEd location with an Ameren Illinois location. Equal annual kWh does not make their demand, capacity, transmission, or supply assumptions interchangeable. Model each tariff and offer, then consolidate dollars with account-level support.
Documents for a useful review
- Utility-specific bills, classes, contracts, usage, and renewal windows.
- ICC verification and written compensation or authority disclosures.
- Separate ComEd, Ameren, municipal, cooperative, and gas assumptions.
Questions & answers
Can every Illinois meter switch electric supply?
Choice applies in relevant programs and territories. Confirm customer eligibility and treat municipal or cooperative arrangements separately rather than assume statewide uniformity.
Does ComEd supply comparison apply to Ameren?
No direct substitution is appropriate. Utility tariffs, default arrangements, wholesale context, and account characteristics differ; use each actual bill and tariff.
How do I verify a broker?
Use the Illinois ICC’s ABC resources for the exact entity and applicable requirements. Regulatory status does not itself establish market coverage, service quality, or fiduciary duty.
Is supplier-paid compensation costless?
It can be embedded in supply economics. Request the transaction-specific formula, payer, anticipated cost, incentives, and any separate agreement before approving the engagement.
Are gas accounts automatically included?
No. Check the LDC, choice or transportation program, units, current agreement, nominations where relevant, and service conditions independently from electricity.
Should planned solar be disclosed before procurement?
Yes. It can alter purchased quantities, interval shape, and contract assumptions. Ask how the proposed agreement handles material changes and review utility interconnection and attribute rights separately.
Sources & scope
Primary references reviewed October 15, 2026. These sources support the stated concepts; actual tariffs, program rules and signed agreements govern the account. Decision examples and operational worksheets are original educational analysis.
- Illinois ICC: Electric choice basics
Electricity choice and distribution utility roles. - Illinois ICC: Agents, Brokers, and Consultants
Illinois licensing and conduct resources; not a nationwide rule. - EIA: Natural gas customer choice programs
Gas marketing, distribution, and differences among choice programs. - DOE FEMP: Evaluating your utility rate options
Demand, ratchets, time-of-use rates, coincident peaks, and standby charges.