April gas supply prices are elevated for most utilities, led by Peoples Gas, which is charging a supply rate that is more than 100 percent higher than last year; Illinois Gas, which is up by about 75 percent; and Nicor Gas, which is up by about 71 percent.
“These numbers are particularly disappointing and disturbing, given that on the other side of the bill two utilities, Nicor and Ameren, are trying to increase delivery rates for next winter, which means their customers could have an even harder time affording their bills if gas supply prices remain elevated,” CUB Communications Director Jim Chilsen said. “We are challenging the delivery rate hikes, but with these supply price spikes we’re at the mercy of an extremely volatile gas market. I hope we have a warmer spring so these elevated prices don’t hurt as much.”
Chilsen added that energy efficiency measures at home also can help blunt the impact of these supply increases. (See tips below.)
The EIA’s Short Term Energy Outlook says gas prices could be up over the next two years. So why are prices up? Forbes reported in March that prices in the United States had soared because of high demand and constrained supply, thanks to multiple factors, including extreme weather, record liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to feed increased demand in Europe and Asia, and other global issues, such as the war in Ukraine. “This surge has significant implications for consumers, industries, and energy markets worldwide,” Forbes reported.
Gas utilities in the state file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in April.
- Compared with last month (March 2025), prices were higher for five of 9 utilities: Ameren (about 5 percent higher than last month), Illinois Gas (about 28 percent), Peoples Gas (about 30 percent), Liberty Utilities (about 40 percent) and Nicor Gas (about 53 percent higher). These four utilities saw supply price decreases: North Shore Gas (about 0.7 percent lower), MidAmerican Energy (about 5.5 percent), Consumers Gas (about 29 percent) and Mt. Carmel (about 36 percent lower).
- Compared with April 2024, prices were higher for seven of 9 utilities, ranging from about about 9 percent higher for Ameren to about 103.6 percent higher for Peoples Gas. Of the two utilities with lower prices compared with last April, the price for Liberty Utilities was about 5 percent lower and the price for Consumers Gas was about 11 percent lower. Below, see the full list comparing the PGAs for this month with a year ago.
April Gas Prices
Ameren Illinois– 48.89 cents per therm (up about 9 percent from April 2024)
Consumers Gas– 30.66 cents per therm (down about 11 percent from April 2024)
Illinois Gas– 66.91 cents per therm (up about 75 percent from April 2024)
Liberty Utilities– 60.5 cents per therm (down about 5 percent from April 2024)
MidAmerican Energy– 57.79 cents per therm (up about 57 percent from April 2024)
Mt. Carmel– 35.71 cents per therm (up about 25 percent from April 2024)
Nicor Gas– 58.0 cents per therm (up about 71 percent from April 2024)
North Shore Gas– 56.0 cents per therm (up about 58 percent from April 2024)
Peoples Gas– 52.79 cents per therm (up about 103.6 percent from April 2024)
Note: Your utility is determined by where you live, so you cannot switch from one utility to another. Under Illinois law, gas utilities are not allowed to profit off supply prices—they pass those costs from gas producers and marketers onto customers with no markup. State regulators annually review the utilities’ gas-management procedures to evaluate whether the companies did a reasonable job with their gas purchases, given market conditions, to hold down costs for consumers as much as possible. The gas utilities are allowed to profit off the delivery side of bills–and Nicor and Ameren Illinois are both pushing for delivery rate hikes in 2025. CUB is challenging them.
If you are having trouble affording your gas bills, you are not alone! A few tips from CUB:
- See if you qualify for energy assistance. To apply or learn more about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), visit this state of Illinois webpage. (Also, check out our Step by step guide to applying for LIHEAP.)
- Keep the lines of communication open with your utility. If you are having trouble affording your gas bills, it is vital that you contact your utility. Ask if you qualify for any energy assistance programs; see if you can set up a plan that gives you more time to pay off your bills; and inquire about no or low-cost energy efficiency programs the company offers.
- Practice energy efficiency at home.
- Beware of alternative supplier rip-offs. If a deal seems too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is. If the utility supply price increases, remember that it’s due to market factors that also will increase alternative supplier prices. As volatile as gas utility prices are, your best bet for gas supply is likely with your utility and not with an alternative supplier. Read our tips. (Note: Only consumers in Northern Illinois–Nicor, North Shore and Peoples Gas customers–have gas choice.)
- More helpful resources:
- CUB’s Gas page
- Historical gas prices
- CUB’s gas-price reports from 2024: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. And 2025: January, February, March.
- If you can, consider moving away from gas: Visit our electrification page and order CUB’s free Better Heat Guide to learn how to make the transition to more efficient appliances, like electric heat pumps and induction stove tops.
