Oak Lawn Voters Say 'Yes' to Electrical Aggregation

Oak Lawn voters approved a binding referendum giving village officials the authority to negotiate a lower electrical rate with an alternative energy supplier on Tuesday’s ballot.

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The measure passed by 57-percent, with 11,561 voters saying "yes" to electrical aggregation to 8,547 "no" votes.

Electrical aggregation is said to save households and small commercial businesses an average of $200 to $400 per year on their electricity bills. ComEd rates increased from 7.9 cents to 8.3 cents per kilowatt-hour in October. Aggregation programs typically lock in rates of 4.5 centers to 4.9 cents per unit of electricity.

The program is open to Oak Lawn’s 19,000 households and businesses. Customers who choose to participate in the program will still receive their monthly electric bill from ComEd, which will continue to charge fees for delivery and transmission of service.

Before municipalities can enter into electrical aggregation agreements, the issue must be approved by a referendum.  Residents and businesses that don’t wish to participate in the aggregation program had 30 days to “opt out.”

To find out what happens next in the aggregation process after a referendum is passed, visit the Citizens Utility Board.

Results of Other Nearby Referenda: 

Village of Alsip, Electrical Aggregation

• YES – 2,570

• NO -- 3,625    

Village of Alsip, Motor Vehicle Stickers

• YES – 1,385

• NO – 5,016

Village of Worth, Electrical Aggregation

• YES – 1,591

• NO – 1,521

Source: Cook County Clerk