ComEd Launches New Discount โProgram to Ease Rising Electric โBills as Chicago Faces Harsh Winter
CHICAGO (January โข2, 2026) – ComEd customers facing soaring โelectricity costs this winter will soonโ have access to a new โdiscountโ program, the utility announced today. The Low-Income Discount (LID) program, mandated by 2021โค state โclimate legislation, launched january 1st โand aims to provide financial relief to income-eligible households grappling with significantly higher bills during a โฃparticularly cold start to the winter season.
This comes as Illinoisans are projectedโฃ to pay up to $200 more for electricity this year compared to last โฃ- a โฃ15% increase – โand potentially even higher costs throughout the winter months. CBS News Chicago Meteorologist David โYeomans noted โthat the Chicago area is experiencing an early and harsh winter, with snowfall from late november through December reaching record levels.
The LID program will offer a percentage-based discount on monthly electric bills,resolute by household income. Qualifying customers must have an income up to three times the federal poverty line. “It will enable qualifying income eligible customers to recieve aโ percentage-basedโข discount on their monthly electric bill, and that’s determined by income level,” explained Kara Schwear, a finance assistance expert at ComEd. Discounts will range from 5% to 83% of heating bills, โคdepending on income.
ComEd isn’t the only utility โoffering assistance.Peoples โGas has a similar program, launched in 2024, providing permanently reduced โrates on โheating billsโ for lower-income customers. David Schwartz, a Peoples Gas spokesperson, stated that discountsโ through their program alsoโฃ increase basedโ on a family’s income โand need.
Customers can also explore federal โassistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), wich often applies to the same programs offered by ComEd and Peoples Gas. More information on LIHEAP can be found at https://dceo.illinois.gov/communityservices/utilitybillassistance.html.