The average Illinois household could pay an additional $275 for electricity next year, according to the Citizens Utility Board. Utilities are hoping a regulatory structure created in 1997 will enable them to raise consumers’ bills, boosting industry revenue between $390 million and $1.2 billion each year. But don’t look to the legislature to block the rate hikes. After $1.3 million in political contributions by the industry, the 1997 changes may be here to stay.

http://www.ilcampaign.org/analysis/briefings/powermarkets.asp