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 Illinois. Acc ording to the company, its territory covers 43,700 square miles, or 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.
Ameren price to compare
If you choose to purchase energy from your utility company, you’ll be enrolled in the default rate, which is also known as the price to compare (PTC). The current Ameren Illinois electric rate is about 8.77 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the first 800 kWh of monthly usage and 7.85 cents per kWh for usage after 800 kWh. These rates are effective through May 31, 2026. You can use Ameren’s cost per kWh as a helpful benchmark to compare alternative supplier rates and decide which one offers a better value.
How to get cheaper Ameren electric rates
Choose Energy makes it easy to shop for a lower electric rate and switch energy providers in Ameren’s service area. Use our marketplace to compare energy plans and sign up. Here’s how it works:
- Enter your ZIP code: Use your ZIP code to find today’s rates and electricity plans available in your area.
- Browse your options: Toggle between filters to narrow down your choices for rate type, plan length, green energy, and other important features.
- Sign up and relax: Once you find your match, sign up online or over the phone in minutes. After that, your new provider will switch your power without interrupting 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 companies available on our marketplace include:
Contact Ameren
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
- Website: Report a power outage online
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. After entering your ZIP code on our marketplace, you can filter the results to only show fixed-rate options.
How much does Ameren charge per kWh?
Ameren’s price to compare is currently 8.77 cents per kWh for the first 800 kWh and 7.85 cents per kWh for usage above 800 kWh through May 31, 2026. This rate changes periodically throughout the year.
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. In deregulated areas, you can also choose from a variety of alternative retail electric suppliers, such as Constellation Energy or Direct Energy.
How can I lower my Ameren Illinois energy bill?
Reducing your energy consumption is one way to lower your electric bill, especially during months when heating or cooling costs go up. Another option is to compare prices from alternative suppliers to find a lower rate. You can enter your ZIP code on our marketplace to get started.