Sep 30, 2026 · 49 min · 16 segments
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Jeanne Sparrow to talk news from the local housing market, including another…
Dennis RodkinGuest
Jeanne SparrowHost
A major pushback in Chicago Wednesday as dozens of local and state lawmakers joined consumer watchdogs to fight a proposed rate hike from People's Gas.
At a news conference at City Hall, nearly 40 elected officials announced a signed letter urging state regulators to reject the utility's request for a $144 million rate increase.
If approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, Average monthly bills for residential customers would jump by $7 to $8 starting in January.
Watchdogs warned that would mark a 71% increase in gas rates over just four years.
Capitol News Illinois reports the pushback comes as state data reveals nearly one in five People's Gas customers is already behind on their bills, owing more than $92 million combined.
Citizens Utility Board spokesperson Jim Chilson called it a heating affordability crisis.
Lawmakers are also demanding reforms to the company's massive pipe replacement program.
The utility says the spending is necessary to replace over 1,000 miles of aging iron pipes by 2035 under ICC mandates.
However, consumer groups argue the company should use cheaper repair alternatives such as pipe sealants rather than digging up streets to install new lines.
People's Gas spokesperson David Schwartz defended the request, stating the company is trying to balance affordability with market conditions and warned that postponing essential safety upgrades would increase long-term risks and costs.
Advocates are urging Chicago residents to submit public comments directly to the ICC ahead of the upcoming regulatory decision.
Read the full story at chicagobusiness.com. A homegrown financial giant has just signed the largest downtown office lease of the year.
A major pushback in Chicago Wednesday as dozens of local and state lawmakers joined consumer watchdogs to fight a proposed rate hike from People's Gas.
At a news conference at City Hall, nearly 40 elected officials announced a signed letter urging state regulators to reject the utility's request for a $144 million rate increase.
If approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, Average monthly bills for residential customers would jump by $7 to $8 starting in January.
Watchdogs warned that would mark a 71% increase in gas rates over just four years.
Capitol News Illinois reports the pushback comes as state data reveals nearly one in five People's Gas customers is already behind on their bills, owing more than $92 million combined.
Citizens Utility Board spokesperson Jim Chilson called it a heating affordability crisis.
Lawmakers are also demanding reforms to the company's massive pipe replacement program.
The utility says the spending is necessary to replace over 1,000 miles of aging iron pipes by 2035 under ICC mandates.
However, consumer groups argue the company should use cheaper repair alternatives such as pipe sealants rather than digging up streets to install new lines.
People's Gas spokesperson David Schwartz defended the request, stating the company is trying to balance affordability with market conditions and warned that postponing essential safety upgrades would increase long-term risks and costs.
Advocates are urging Chicago residents to submit public comments directly to the ICC ahead of the upcoming regulatory decision.
Read the full story at chicagobusiness.com. A homegrown financial giant has just signed the largest downtown office lease of the year.
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