ICC affirms denial of Nicor confidentiality request and approves Nicor debt issuance

The Illinois Commerce Commission on June 4 affirmed an administrative law judge’s ruling denying Nicor Gas’s motion to maintain confidential certain rate‑case expense information and approved Nicor’s petition to issue up to $250 million in long‑term debt.

Chair Scott commented during the meeting that Nicor had sought to keep confidential expenses associated with providing notice, hourly rates and billing and budget information for outside counsel, consultants and witnesses. "Because ratepayers ultimately fund rate case expenses, the public should have insight into the hourly rates and total charges billed to the company," Chair Scott said, explaining the Commission’s emphasis on transparency.

The ALJ’s denial of Nicor’s confidentiality request was confirmed with no objection. Separately, Item G4 approved Nicor’s request to issue long‑term debt that the company said would be used for capital expenditures and other general utility purposes, which could include refunding short‑term debt. The order requires Nicor to pay a $600,000 financing fee within 30 days after service of the order.

The transcript does not record a roll‑call vote; the orders were approved as presented during the meeting. The Commission handled these items during a block of gas docket matters that also included Nicor’s Rider 38 reconciliation for October 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, which the Commission approved.