A watchdog group says Com Ed’s requested rate hike is too high

The Citizens Utility Board says the 1.5 billion dollar rate increase that Com Ed is asking state regulators to approve should be slashed by over 60 percent. CUB is challenging the hike with the Illinois Commerce Commission. The four year proposal would increase the average bill for Chicago residents by $6.72 next year and raise it by a total of 17 dollars by 2027. The utility says the increase is to improve the electric grid, phase out carbon emissions and better equip its system for severe weather due to climate change.