Severin Legislation Aims to Improve Electricity Bill Transparency

Bill Clears House Committee with Unanimous Support

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:13pm

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State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) has presented HB 5524, legislation that cleared the House Public Utilities Committee with unanimous support. The bill aims to improve transparency in electricity bills by requiring the Illinois Commerce Commission to create and maintain a public website detailing various charges applied by electric utilities.

Why it matters

Severin says utility bills are made up of several different fees and taxes that regular ratepayers do not necessarily understand, and this legislation is designed to give consumers a clearer picture of where their money is going and how state-approved charges impact their monthly bills.

The details

Under the proposal, beginning January 1, 2027, the ICC would be required to publish information on charges beyond standard delivery and supply costs, including whether those funds are remitted to the State or retained by the utility company. Severin says families across Illinois deserve transparency when it comes to their utility bills, as customers often see line items and fees that are confusing or unclear.

  • The legislation cleared the House Public Utilities Committee this week.
  • The bill would require the ICC to create and maintain the transparency website beginning January 1, 2027.

The players

Dave Severin

State Representative (R-Benton) and House Republican Spokesman on the House Energy & Environment Committee.

Illinois Commerce Commission

The state agency that would be required to create and maintain the public website detailing electricity bill charges under the proposed legislation.

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What they’re saying

“My bill would require the Illinois Commerce Commission to create and maintain a public website detailing various charges applied by electric utilities. The measure is designed to give consumers a clearer picture of where their money is going and how state-approved charges impact their monthly bills.”

— Dave Severin, State Representative

“Families across Illinois deserve transparency when it comes to their utility bills. Too often, customers see line items and fees that are confusing or unclear. This legislation shines a light on those charges and ensures consumers have easy access to straightforward, accurate information.”

— Dave Severin, State Representative

What’s next

The bill now heads to the full House for consideration. Severin has since secured 35 other House members as co-sponsors of the legislation.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to improve transparency in electricity bills by requiring the state's commerce commission to create a public website detailing the various charges and fees that make up utility bills. The goal is to give consumers a clearer understanding of where their money is going and how state-approved charges impact their monthly costs.