Kendall County Times

Jed Davis, a state representative of Illinois, has attributed rising energy costs to failed energy policies rather than the growth of data centers. This statement was made on Facebook.

"I'm not advocating for data centers, but blaming them for Illinois' skyrocketing energy costs is a POLITICAL DISTRACTION," said Davis, according to Facebook. "The true culprit? A decade of failed policies choking out reliable energy - directly increasing your COST OF LIVING. Don't be duped. This crisis wasn't caused by data centers - it was caused by politicians desperately needing a SCAPEGOAT."

Illinois' current energy policy debate is influenced by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), increased demand from new data centers, and pressures on grid costs. Lawmakers are being urged to modernize procurement rules, incentivize battery storage, and potentially revisit the nuclear moratorium in response to concerns that unplanned data center growth could lead to higher rates. According to Capitol News Illinois, the latest legislative package in Springfield seeks to balance clean energy objectives with concerns about cost and reliability.

According to reports from Chicago Tribune and state officials, Illinois electric customers are already experiencing significant impacts. ComEd residential customers face an average monthly increase of approximately $10.60 this summer, while Ameren residential bills are increasing by 18%–22%, roughly translating to $45 per month. These increases are attributed to escalating capacity costs and added demand, marking some of the sharpest short-term hikes in recent years.

Statewide, Illinois’ average residential electricity rate stands at about 18.33 cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh), compared with Indiana’s 16.60 ¢/kWh and Iowa’s 15.39 ¢/kWh, placing Illinois above many neighboring states. Meanwhile, Michigan's rate is higher at 20.85 ¢/kWh, indicating that while Illinois is costly, it is not uniquely extreme. According to ElectricChoice, Illinois now ranks among the higher-cost Midwestern states.

Davis has been representing Illinois’ 75th District since January 2023 and has a background in civil engineering along with prior service as a village trustee. His legislative agenda emphasizes energy affordability, infrastructure development, and regulatory reform — for instance, he recently joined colleagues in advocating for a comprehensive review of Illinois's energy framework to mitigate rate spikes. His public platform focuses on "Helping Households," "Promoting Careers," and reconsidering power mandates.

Illinois' energy governance operates under two statutory regimes: the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) regulates public utilities under the Public Utilities Act by setting rates and oversight; meanwhile, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) is responsible under the Illinois Power Agency Act for procuring energy, structuring contracts, and managing clean energy programs. The General Assembly maintains oversight through its Public Utilities Committees and can amend core laws; both IPA and ICC collaborate under CEJA to balance cost considerations with reliability and decarbonization mandates.