To discuss how energy rates actually get calculated, how that affects your bills, and what you can do to keep bills lower, we were joined by the representatives of Citizens Utility Board Illinois and the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

AARP and Citizens Utility Board are promoting new legislation to protect electric customers from fraud. 

Exelon wants to state lawmakers approve the Next Generation Energy measure this fall benefitting two of its nuclear plants, including one at Clinton. This week was considered a "point of no return" in some reports, but a company spokesperson says the decision could be reversed as late as November.

Ameren says the new rates will add an expected $2 to $6 per month to the typical home natural gas bill and $2 to $7 per month to the typical home electric bill, starting in January.