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Freeport staff outline MC Squared electrical-aggregation opt-out process; letters go out Oct. 17
Summary
Director Bridal told the Freeport City Council that households will begin receiving letters from MC Squared on Oct. 17 offering enrollment in the city's electrical aggregation program and explained four opt-out methods, legal basis and timing for bill changes.
Director Bridal told the Freeport City Council that every household in Freeport will receive a letter from MC Squared beginning Oct. 17 offering enrollment in the city’s electrical-aggregation program and explaining how residents can opt out.
The program, Bridal said, is authorized by an amendment to the Illinois Power Agency Act (chapter 20, section 1-92) that allows municipalities to aggregate residential and small-commercial electrical loads and solicit supply contracts on behalf of participating customers. Bridal said Freeport voters approved participation in a March 2012 referendum and the council approved program implementation later that year.
Bridal described the practical difference for customers as a change in the “supply” line on an energy bill: delivery and outage response remain ComEd’s responsibility, while the program offers a fixed per-kilowatt-hour supply rate from a supplier (this round: MC Squared) rather than ComEd’s fluctuating supply rate. “Each and every household will receive a letter from MC Squared beginning October 17,” Bridal said.
Why it matters: residents who do nothing will be enrolled automatically and billed at the supplier’s fixed rate for the agreement’s term; residents who prefer ComEd’s standard supply can opt out. Bridal read a passage from the opt-out letter: “If you do not opt out of the city's electric aggregation program, you will be deemed to have authorized and agreed to your enrollment in the electric aggregation program.”
Bridal outlined four ways to opt out: scanning a QR code in the envelope and completing the online form; visiting the web link printed on the letter; calling the toll-free phone number in the packet; or returning a signed mail-in card. Bridal recommended the QR code or web link as the fastest options and said the city received hundreds of calls about the program last year.
Council members asked about switching between suppliers and timing. Bridal said changes and any rate differences generally will be reflected on utility bills in December; she said customers may contact MC Squared to request removal from the program after enrollment but warned there can be administrative delays before a different supplier’s rate appears on a bill.
Bridal cited the Citizens Utility Board and plugin.illinois.gov to explain statewide participation and legality; she urged residents not to discard mail they do not recognize and offered a city phone number for further questions.
Votes at a glance: during the same meeting the council approved a motion to allow Alderman Stacy to attend remotely (moved by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sellers; passed 5–0), approved the agenda (moved by Alderman Schadl, seconded by Alderman Sellers; passed 6–0) and approved minutes of the Sept. 8, 2025 Committee of the Whole (moved by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers; passed 6–0). The council adjourned by unanimous motion at the end of the meeting.
What was not decided: the council did not adopt any new ordinance or supplier contract during the meeting; Bridal’s presentation was informational and focused on the referral/opt-out process and timeline.
Next steps: Bridal said envelopes and letters from MC Squared will begin arriving in residents’ mailboxes Oct. 17 and that the supplier’s rate changes should appear on energy bills in December. Residents with questions were directed to call (815) 801-8008.
