How the program works

We're continually seeking the best prices for our natural gas, and you pay only what we do with no additional costs.

But you don't have to buy natural gas from us. You're free to form your own agreement with a natural gas supplier. Pricing and supply contracts vary, and supplier rates are not regulated by the government, so you'll want to look closely at suppliers' offers.

Most offers are priced per therm, a basic unit used to measure natural gas use. You can find how many therms you typically use on your monthly gas bill.

Typically, supplier offers fall into the following categories.

Fixed price: Under this agreement you pay the same price per therm for natural gas each month, and your bill will vary only on the amount of gas you use. If the market price of natural gas changes, it won't affect the amount you pay per therm. This option is good for customers who prefer predictability.

Fixed bill: Under this agreement, you pay the same amount every month for a set period of time. If the market price of natural gas or the amount of gas you use changes, it won't affect the amount you pay.

Market-based or index price: Under these plans, you can expect the price for natural gas to change each month. The supplier sets the monthly price per therm based on the natural gas market.

Variable price: Under this plan, the price may go up or down with market trends. But instead of tying the price per therm to a market index, the supplier will base it to something else, such as on their average cost to purchase natural gas.

Combination packages: Because some Illinois customers can also choose their electric suppliers, some natural gas suppliers offer packages that include both gas and electric services.