JOLIET —  State Senator Rachel Ventura – along with several state legislators – joined Governor JB Pritzker on Thursday to celebrate the signing of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for working families while securing Illinois’ long-term energy future.

“The surge in the development of new data centers has put a tremendous strain on our communities by siphoning resources and driving up electricity costs for consumers,” said Ventura (D-Joliet).  “This law will offer much-needed relief by putting significant amounts of new energy into capacity markets and slowing the rapidly rising price hikes.”

This pivotal legislation comes as Illinoisans and working families nationwide saw significant increases in electricity bills. With private grid operators hiking rates and the federal administration rejecting low-cost, renewable energy options, Illinois is taking decisive action to make energy more affordable and help residents keep the lights on.

Senate Bill 25 will lower costs by driving the development of new energy resources, enacting new regulatory powers to support consumers, and creating and enhancing consumer cost-saving programs, saving Illinoisans over $13 billion over the next two decades.

“In Illinois, we are pursuing every available option to produce affordable, efficient, clean, and abundant energy. We are leaving no stone unturned in the work to produce more electricity, lower prices for our people, and secure our long-term energy future,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act sets a national standard in the effort to lower energy costs and marks a historic step forward in our clean energy vision. Once again, Illinois is stepping up where the federal government is failing.”

Illinois’ clean energy transition has already delivered measurable results. Since the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, Illinois has supported more than six gigawatts of renewable energy – enough to power roughly 4.5 million homes – with an additional six gigawatts currently under development. Today, Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for wind power generation — which has nearly tripled over the last decade. Illinois also ranks second in the Midwest for solar generation. Illinois also continues to be the nation’s top nuclear energy producer and exports approximately one-fifth of its electricity to other states.

Senate Bill 25 takes effect June 1, 2026.