Customers across Illinois could face increased natural gas rates next year, based on proposed decisions in two proceedings before the Illinois Commerce Commission.

The regulatory agency, which oversees gas utilities, is considering two requests from Nicor Gas and Ameren Illinois. A five-member panel of commissioners, appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker , will make the final decision in the cases in November.

But administrative judges overseeing the cases have released proposed decisions which suggest cutting Nicor and Ameren’s requests by about one third.

Nicor, which delivers natural gas to 2.3 million customers in northern and western Illinois, asked for a $314 million rate increase in January – equivalent to about $91.50 per year or a 9.21% increase for residential customers, according

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