Illinois Energy PricesClarity before a contract

A private planning tool

Electricity offer comparison calculator

Compare two offers using the same monthly usage, contract term, fees and known exclusions. See the modeled cost difference and fee break-even point before treating a lower unit rate as a better offer.

Try your own numbers

Example inputs are illustrative. Your entries stay in this browser tab; no account details, storage or analytics.

Use the same monthly load for both offers.
Both offers must cover the same term for this comparison.
Example, not a live rate.
Enter cents: 8.1 means $0.081/kWh.
Include only a charge that applies to this offer.
Do not add the same fee again under extras.
Capacity, transmission or other exclusions you can quantify.
Unknown costs are not zero: resolve them before deciding.
Include applicable one-time costs only.
Check customer-class rules before assuming a fee applies.

Results appear here

Use the button to calculate. JavaScript runs locally in your browser.

How the calculation works

Monthly supply cost = usage × cents/kWh ÷ 100 + monthly supplier fee + known monthly extras. Term cost = monthly modeled cost × months + one-time costs. A-to-B break-even usage = the additional monthly-equivalent fees in B ÷ the per-kWh price advantage of B, when both values are positive.

Use inputs you can defend

Read the units and use a consistent billing period. Defaults are examples; replace them with values relevant to your decision. If a cost is unknown, the result cannot establish that it is zero. Keep excluded charges in a separate budget and compare the same service scope before judging two alternatives. You can print this page for your own records without creating a website inquiry.

Build a comparable cost basis

Start with one billing period and keep the account and usage constant. Multiply the offered cents per kWh by monthly kWh and divide by 100, then add the supplier fees and any separately priced components. Repeat for the other offer. If a component is unknown, label it unknown instead of silently entering zero. A quote that fixes energy but leaves capacity variable does not have the same risk as one that includes both. Expected cost and cost certainty are separate comparisons.

Read the agreement behind the price

A pricing schedule and the general terms work together. Check the delivery start, term, renewal language, customer obligations and provisions for changes in law or load. Identify whether a number is fixed for the whole term, reset at a stated interval or reconciled later. Obtain explanations in writing. Ask what happens if the business closes, moves, changes operating hours or replaces major equipment; do not assume the lease and supply agreement end together.

Separate supply from utility delivery

The utility continues to maintain the distribution system and handle outages. Supplier shopping does not eliminate regulated customer charges, every demand charge or taxes. Use the price applicable to your service class and product. Residential price-to-compare information can explain concepts, but it is not a commercial quote. If two consecutive bills differ, inspect billing days and consumption before attributing the full dollar difference to a supply rate.

Keep the inputs private

These calculations run on this page using your browser. They do not save values to local storage, attach figures to a review request or send them to a server. If you choose to ask a question, the review link may select only the inquiry type. Closing or refreshing the page discards your edits. The print button opens your browser’s print dialog.

Sources & further checks

Primary references checked for this guide on October 15, 2026. Follow the source for current tariffs, eligibility and program terms; rates here are not live offers.