About Ameren Illinois
As part of the Ameren Corporation, Ameren Illinois is one of the largest electric and natural gas utility companies in Illinois. Based in Collinsville, the company provides electricity to 1.2 million customers and natural gas to 816,000 customers across the Prairie State.
Ameren’s service area includes Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, and many other communities in central and southern parts of Illinois. In fact, according to the company, its territory covers 43,700 square miles — which is about three-quarters of Illinois.
Difference between a utility company and an energy provider
In Illinois (and other deregulated states), energy customers can shop around and sign up for a plan with the electricity provider of their choice. Electricity providers sell plans to customers and manage their accounts and billing.
If you don’t choose your own provider, you’ll buy power from your local utility company (in this case, Ameren Illinois). It’s the utility’s responsibility to transmit power to residences and businesses, respond to power outages, and maintain electrical infrastructure within its service area. If your power goes out and Ameren Illinois is your utility company, you should contact them to restore it.
Contact Ameren
Here are a few ways to contact Ameren if you need assistance. If you experience a power outage or other electrical emergency, you should contact your utility company, not your supplier. Here’s how to contact Ameren Illinois:
- Phone: 1-800-755-5000
- Report a power outage online
Ameren price to compare
If you choose to purchase energy from your utility company, you’ll be enrolled in the default rate – also known as the price to compare (PTC). If you live in Ameren’s service area, your PTC is 12.18 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) through September 30, 2025.
Instead of settling for the default rate from your utility company, you can shop for affordable energy plans from suppliers in your area on Choose Energy. Our free marketplace offers an alternative shopping experience for Illinois residents. We partner with energy suppliers across Illinois and other deregulated states to offer reliable service from companies you can trust.
What you may pay through Ameren
If you choose to purchase your electricity from Ameren Illinois, here’s what an estimated bill might look like, assuming you use 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and according to the current price to compare.
| PTC rate | Delivery Charge | Monthly consumption | Estimated total monthly bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.18 cents per kWh | 7.477 cents per kWh | 1,000 kWh | $196.57 |
How to switch Ameren electric providers
Choose Energy streamlines the process to switch energy providers in Ameren’s service area. If you aren’t happy with your current service, find out how to switch to a better plan using our marketplace:
- Enter your ZIP code: Use your ZIP code to find local plans with up-to-date rates.
- Browse your options: You can use our filters to narrow down your results according to rate type, plan length, green energy, and more.
- Sign up and relax: Once you find your match, you can sign up online or over the phone in minutes. After that, you can relax as your new provider handles switching your power with zero interruption to your service.
Ameren service areas
Ameren Illinois’ service area covers the central and southern parts of the state. The utility serves over a million customers in major Illinois cities like Champaign, Decatur, Jacksonville, Peoria, Pinckneyville, Springfield, and Venice.
Top electric providers available in Ameren’s service area
You’ll find many electric providers selling affordable plans in Ameren Illinois’ service area. Some of the best-known companies available on our marketplace include:
- Constellation Energy
- Direct Energy
- Public Power
- Smart Energy
FAQs about Ameren
Do Ameren electric providers offer fixed rates?
Yes. Several reliable electricity providers sell fixed-rate plans in Ameren Illinois’ service area, including Constellation Energy and Direct Energy. Filter for this option on our marketplace.
How much does Ameren charge per kWh?
Ameren offers the price to compare, which is the default rate for electricity. Right now, this price is 12.18 cents per kWh through September 30, 2025. However, this rate changes periodically throughout the year. Check back with your utility provider to find out the current PTC.
Is Ameren the only electric company in Illinois?
No. Commonwealth Edison (Com Ed) is another major Illinois utility company providing electricity to cities like Chicago, Elgin, Naperville, and Rockford.
How can I lower my Ameren Illinois energy bill?
Try to cut your energy consumption as much as possible, sealing leaks in your home, raising the thermostat, or lowering your water heater temperature. There are also other tactics that may help reduce your power bill, such as signing up for a more affordable plan with a cheap rate for your usage level.