The Issue

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has recently implemented a flat utility fee on small businesses, threatening the financial stability of thousands of local enterprises. This decision does not take into consideration the variable energy consumption and the already strained resources of these businesses, which are crucial to the state's economy.

Small businesses form the backbone of our local communities, providing essential services and employment opportunities. According to a report by the Small Business Administration, they account for 99.6% of Illinois businesses and employ over 45% of the private workforce. Imposing a flat fee, regardless of the size or consumption of the business, unfairly burdens these establishments and endangers their ability to thrive.

Unlike large corporations, small businesses typically operate on thinner margins and cannot easily absorb additional costs. An analysis by the National Federation of Independent Business indicates that increases in fixed costs can lead to job losses, reduced investment in growth, and even closures. This is because every additional dollar a small business spends on utilities is a dollar not spent on wages, inventory, or expansion.

Furthermore, this fee structure disregards the principles of fairness and efficiency. Larger businesses that consume more energy are not paying proportionately more, leading to an inequitable distribution of utility costs. By maintaining this approach, the ICC is inadvertently encouraging energy waste by not incentivizing more efficient utility usage among larger consumers.

We propose the ICC adopts a tiered utility fee structure, which accounts for the actual energy consumption of businesses. Such a model would ensure that the financial burden correlates with energy use, promoting fairness and efficiency. The implementation of energy efficiency programs and incentives for small businesses should also be considered to empower them to manage their energy consumption effectively.

Join us in urging the ICC to reconsider their approach and engage in a dialogue with stakeholders to develop a fairer, more sustainable solution. Sign this petition to protect our small businesses from unjust financial strain and support a balanced economic ecosystem in Illinois.