There is no single executable Illinois business rate. Utility, customer class, load, contract start, term and inclusions determine which offers can be compared. The examples on this site are not current market prices.
| Cost component | Typical unit | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Energy supply | Cents/kWh | Fixed or variable price, start, term and load basis. |
| Capacity / transmission / losses | Contract-specific | Included, separately priced, adjusted or reconciled. |
| Supplier fees | Dollars/month or other stated basis | Recurring and one-time charges; avoid counting them twice. |
| Utility delivery and demand | Tariff-specific dollars, kWh or kW | Delivery utility, service class and definition of billed demand. |
| Taxes and adjustments | Account-specific | Applicable treatment and whether a historical adjustment distorts the comparison. |
Build a comparable cost basis
Start with one billing period and keep the account and usage constant. Multiply the offered cents per kWh by monthly kWh and divide by 100, then add the supplier fees and any separately priced components. Repeat for the other offer. If a component is unknown, label it unknown instead of silently entering zero. A quote that fixes energy but leaves capacity variable does not have the same risk as one that includes both. Expected cost and cost certainty are separate comparisons.
Read the agreement behind the price
A pricing schedule and the general terms work together. Check the delivery start, term, renewal language, customer obligations and provisions for changes in law or load. Identify whether a number is fixed for the whole term, reset at a stated interval or reconciled later. Obtain explanations in writing. Ask what happens if the business closes, moves, changes operating hours or replaces major equipment; do not assume the lease and supply agreement end together.
Separate supply from utility delivery
The utility continues to maintain the distribution system and handle outages. Supplier shopping does not eliminate regulated customer charges, every demand charge or taxes. Use the price applicable to your service class and product. Residential price-to-compare information can explain concepts, but it is not a commercial quote. If two consecutive bills differ, inspect billing days and consumption before attributing the full dollar difference to a supply rate.
A worked cost comparison
Illustrative inputs, not Illinois market offers: 25,000 kWh per month, offer A at 8.5 cents/kWh with no monthly fee, and offer B at 8.1 cents/kWh with a $35 monthly fee. A models to $2,125 and B to $2,060 for those supply components. The $65 monthly difference becomes $1,560 over 24 identical months. This excludes delivery, taxes, unentered pass-throughs and load changes. B reaches the same modeled cost as A at 8,750 kWh per month. Use your own data in the offer calculator.
A renewal workflow that preserves your choices
Start by confirming the existing agreement and who may authorize a change. Gather comparable account and usage information privately, identify the intended delivery window and ask for bids with the same requirements. Document unresolved inclusions and compare a downside case where costs remain variable. Review the full agreement before an authorization. After a change, reconcile the first bill and supplier notice with the signed terms. A review request is not an enrollment instruction.
For multiple locations, keep account differences visible
Build an inventory by premises, utility, legal entity, commodity and contract end date. Add kWh or therms only where the units and periods match. Compare costs using usage-weighted rates, not an equal average of all offered prices. Coordinating procurement does not make all sites eligible for one product or guarantee a volume discount. A municipal electric location can remain in a broader operational review even when a standard retail supplier comparison is not the right action.
Work through the numbers privately
Use the worksheets to explore assumptions before sharing documents. No calculator values are attached to a review request.
Questions to resolve
What does a quote need before I can compare it?
The same service account and load assumptions, comparable delivery dates and term, all recurring costs, and a written schedule of inclusions and possible adjustments. Mark unknown amounts explicitly.
Does a lower unit rate guarantee a lower total bill?
No. Usage, fixed fees, utility delivery, demand, taxes and contract exclusions can change the result. Calculate the relevant components and review any remaining uncertainty.
Should I upload bills or account numbers to start?
No. The first-party review form asks for business contact, utility and the question. Documents and sensitive account details are not requested in the initial inquiry.
Sources & further checks
Primary references checked for this guide on October 15, 2026. Follow the source for current tariffs, eligibility and program terms; rates here are not live offers.