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Lee County board opts to let electric aggregation contract lapse, return residents to ComEd
Summary
After debate about rising market prices and an offered price‑match guarantee, the board voted to let the county aggregation contract expire and return participating residents to ComEd while staff monitors the market and returns with options.
The Lee County Board voted to send a motion to the full county board to let the county’s electricity aggregation contract lapse at its August expiration and return participating customers to ComEd pending a later market review.
Why it matters: The board heard bids showing wholesale energy prices have risen since last year. Consultant Mike Mudge, who assists the county’s aggregation program, told the board that capacity and wholesale market shifts are driving higher rates and that the cheapest current bids are roughly 27% higher than last year.
Options discussed: Mudge presented a "price match" guarantee option from one supplier, MC Squared, that would tie the program rate to ComEd’s rate so participants would pay whatever ComEd charges. Mudge said that option is a conservative choice to avoid locking residents into a rate that might be higher than ComEd’s eventual published price.
Board deliberation and motion: Several board members urged caution about locking in a higher price. "Whenever I'm in a volatile market, I let it calm down before we make any long term decisions," said Bob Olsen, a board member. Tom Wilson moved to let the contract expire and return customers to ComEd while monitoring the market; Dean Friel seconded. The board passed the motion by voice vote; the motion will go to the full county board for a final vote.
Next steps: County administrator Jeremy will continue market monitoring with the consultant and return to the board if an advantageous fixed-rate offer or other options emerge.
Ending: Officials said residents who have individually chosen third‑party suppliers are unaffected and that the county can re-enter aggregation later if market conditions improve.
