Illinois Commerce Commission’s decision allowing alternate residential power suppliers to bill their customers through ComEd has benefited residents of Chicago because they now have several choices in electricity providers as compared to the single one available at the same time last year which was none other than Commonwealth Edison Co or ComEd. The ruling has enabled other electricity suppliers to charge customers through ComEd rather than billing them directly which would have resulted in tremendous expenditure leading to financial burdens on the companies and ultimately on the customers. This has been treated as a welcome note by Chicagoans even though the adaptation to the strategy is slow.

The residents of Chicago have several options when it comes to choosing their electricity suppliers. In 1997, electric choice became a law in Illinois. Currently several Chicago electricity suppliers have entered the market to offer lower electric prices to ComEd (Commonwealth Edison) customers.

The move has already started to take effect on Chicago as several electricity suppliers now offer commercial and residential offers for residents of Chicago. However the residential community of Chicago is yet to fully embrace the decision as only about less than 5% of consumers in Illinois have switched on from ComEd to other electricity suppliers.

Your electricity service is made up of three parts: (1) the electricity itself is provided by an electricity generator and is sometimes referred to as electricity "supply" or "generation", (2) the "transmission" of that electricity from the generation facility to your local utility, and (3) the "distribution" or "delivery" of the electricity by the utility over the electric lines that lead to your business or home. In the past, the utility provided all three parts of your electric service (supply, transmission, and distribution).

To understand further what is Price to Compare, it simply shows the payment rate of those customers who do not shop or compare rates for other cheap electricity suppliers. This includes the generation supply costs and transmission charges. The Illinois Commerce Commission implemented that all competitive electricity rates shall include everything that the old ComEd Price to Compare had. This is for the benefit of the Chicago consumers and residents so they can easily compare electricity rates and choices.

Electricity choice in Chicago has given residents of Illinois the option to shop for the lowest electricity prices in Illinois. Now that Illinois has more choices for electricity, citizens need to be aware of the rates as well as the competition between these electric suppliers to replace the Commonwealth Edison price.

The Illinois Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997 restructured the state’s electric service industry to allow a choice of electric suppliers. With electric choice, the electric supply may now be provided by different companies known as Retail Electric Suppliers (RESs). When comparing electricity rates one can visit pluginillinois.org or www.shopcheapenergy.com by simply switching your electricity provider businesses and homes can save hundreds in utility expenses depending on usage.

However please remember to –

• Read the terms of service

• If you choose a fixed rate plan, do remember to renew you contract at the end of the term.

• Place the order online and save a confirmation of the order for your records.

About Shop Cheap Energy- Shop Cheap Energy helps consumers compare and shop electricity and gas plans online. To learn more please visit www.ShopCheapEnergy.com