The Illinois Commerce Commission has gone further than administrative judges asked it to go earlier this year — cutting Ameren Illinois’ $128.8 million rate increase request for natural gas delivery services by $55.8 million.

Commissioners unanimously approved a $73 million increase Wednesday.

It’s not yet known how much bills will go up with the decision. The previous proposal would have amounted to a 13% increase for customers, or $10 per month.

“The ICC’s responsibility is to balance the interests of Illinois’ utilities and their consumers,” said Doug Scott, the regulatory body’s chairman, in a statement. “We recognize that any decision impacting Illinoisans’ bills is not a small one, and after careful review of Ameren’s proposed investments, the Commission opted to strike ex

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