Call for hearing(s) on proposed rate hikes by Peoples Gas Company

Votes › Environmental Protection and Energy › 34th Ward: William Conway

Record number: R2023-0004577
Type: Resolution; category: Committee/Public Hearings
Status: Final
Sponsor: William Conway (34th Ward)
Co-sponsors (22): Felix Cardona Jr. (31st Ward), Angela Clay (46th Ward), Ruth Cruz (30th Ward), Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), Jessica L. Fuentes (26th Ward), Maria E. Hadden (49th Ward), Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward), Daniel La Spata (1st Ward), Bennett R. Lawson (44th Ward), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward), Matthew J. Martin (47th Ward), Emma Mitts (37th Ward), David H. Moore (17th Ward), Julia M. Ramirez (12th Ward), Ramirez-Rosa, Carlos, Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), Lamont J. Robinson (4th Ward), Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33rd Ward), Michael D. Rodriguez (22nd Ward), Byron Sigcho-López (25th Ward), Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40th Ward)
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy
Introduction Date: Oct 4, 2023
Final Action Date: Nov 7, 2023
Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Roll call: Adopted Nov 7, 2023

50 yea, 0 nay. On motion of Alderperson Hadden, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the resolution was Adopted. Voted at the City Council meeting of Nov 7, 2023.

Yea (50): Daniel La Spata (1), Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Lamont J. Robinson (4), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Peter Chico (10), Nicole T. Lee (11), Julia M. Ramirez (12), Marty Quinn (13), Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (14), Raymond A. Lopez (15), Stephanie D. Coleman (16), David H. Moore (17), Derrick G. Curtis (18), Matthew J. O'Shea (19), Jeanette B. Taylor (20), Ronnie L. Mosley (21), Michael D. Rodriguez (22), Silvana Tabares (23), Monique L. Scott (24), Byron Sigcho-López (25), Jessica L. Fuentes (26), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ruth Cruz (30), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), Scott Waguespack (32), Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33), William Conway (34), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Nicholas Sposato (38), Samantha Nugent (39), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40), Anthony V. Napolitano (41), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Bennett R. Lawson (44), James M. Gardiner (45), Angela Clay (46), Matthew J. Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Maria E. Hadden (49), Debra L. Silverstein (50), Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (former member)

Impact report

Written by AI from the official document. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This resolution asks the City Council's Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy to hold a hearing on Peoples Gas's proposed record rate hike and how it would affect Chicagoans.

Who it affects

Peoples Gas customers in Chicago: All 884,000 customers would be affected by higher rates if the requested hike is approved, and the hearing would look at that impact.
Residential gas customers: The requested hike would add an average of $11.83 per month to bills, and Peoples Gas has proposed a $45 fixed monthly charge.
Households in Black and brown neighborhoods: The text says these households were disconnected at nearly triple the rate of similar-income white neighborhoods and carry the most gas debt.
Englewood residents: The text says nearly 49% of customers there are behind on bills, with average debt over $1,100, and more than 1 in 10 households at risk of disconnection.
Customers behind on gas bills: The text notes Peoples Gas collected $32 million in late fees in 2022, a topic relevant to the hearing.
Peoples Gas: The company would be the subject of a City Council hearing meant to increase transparency and accountability.

What changes

The Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy would hold a hearing on the Peoples Gas rate hike request.
The hearing would examine how the rate hike would affect Chicagoans.
The resolution does not itself change gas rates or bills.

Money

$402 million rate hike requested by Peoples Gas from the Illinois Commerce Commission, paid by customers
$207 million of the requested hike is for a pipeline replacement program
Average increase of $11.83 per month on residential gas bills, paid by residential customers
Proposed $45 fixed monthly charge for residential customers
$32 million in late fees collected by Peoples Gas from customers in 2022

Where: Chicago; Englewood; South Side; West Side

Timeline

Oct 4, 2023: Referred, City Council. Two committees having been called, the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy and the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, the matter was referred to the Committee on the Committees and Rules (Pursuant to Council Rule 42).
Nov 1, 2023: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
Nov 1, 2023: Recommended for Re-Referral, Committee on Committees and Rules. The matter was recommended for Re-Referral by controlling legislative body.
Nov 6, 2023: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
Nov 7, 2023: Adopted, City Council (50 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Hadden, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the resolution was Adopted.