AARP Illinois Issues Statement about Peoples Gas Emergency Motion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6, 2023

CONTACT:

Monika Wnuk, Associate State Director of Communications
312-458-3611
mwnuk@aarp.org

AARP Illinois Issues Statement about Peoples Gas Emergency Motion

Chicago, (December 6,2023) - The following statement was issued by AARP Illinois State Director Philippe Largent following the emergency motion filed by Peoples Gas asking the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to increase part of its Nov.16 rate case ruling:

“On behalf of our 1.7 million members and all older adults across the state, today AARP Illinois filed a response opposing Peoples Gas’ motion. The ICC’s decision, which will save Peoples Gas customers millions of dollars on their utility bills, is a monumental win for utility customers, including older adults on fixed incomes who were already struggling to keep up with rising utility bills.

We vehemently oppose Peoples Gas’ attempt to undermine the authority and thorough analysis of the ICC’s decision by trying to add an additional $134 million in spending. AARP Illinois always supports safe, reliable and affordable energy delivery to customers, and we firmly uphold the ICC’s consideration of these factors in their analysis. The excessive spending proposed, and once again requested, by Peoples Gas is a troubling display of corporate interests taking precedence over the needs and concerns of Chicago residents.

As a formal intervenor on behalf of Illinois residents 50-plus, AARP Illinois has opposed the rate increases that benefited Peoples Gas’ bottom line on the backs of its customers from the beginning. Over the past year, we’ve heard from thousands of older adults, including 15,000 who signed AARP Illinois’ petition, about how this increase would harm them, forcing them to make impossible choices between heating their homes, buying groceries or paying for prescriptions.

We commend the ICC for adopting our position and also answering the pleas of thousands of older adults, putting their needs ahead of corporate greed. AARP Illinois will continue – as it has always done – to fight on behalf of ratepayers who deserve to have their voices prioritized in utility rate decisions that will affect their quality of life.”