Voters Can Learn About Electric Aggregation at Village Events

When residents go to the polls in March, they will have to decide whether or not they want to be a part of an electric aggregation group with other municipalities.

The question that will appear on the ballot will ask:

“Shall the Village of Channahon have the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program?”

Channahon Village officials want voters to have as much information as possible regarding the question. To that end, they are hosting two community events to educate voters about aggregation.

"This is not a big session," Channahon Village Manager Joe Pena said Monday night.

He said village officials want to make sure that residents vote in the election.

At 9 a.m., Feb. 18 and at 6 p.m. Feb. 27, officials will be on hand at Channahon Village Hall to present information and answer questions about aggregation.

Channahon Trustee Jerry Papesh has experienced the savings of aggregation first-hand. His business is in Crest Hill, a municipality that opted into electric aggregation already.

"Mine went down substantially, $100 to $110 per month," he said about his electric bill. He saw about a 25 percent reduction.

The village will be using its membership in the Will County Governmental League to join other municipalities and get the best price on electric services. If the voters approve the referendum, then the WCGL will use the company Dacott to negotiate for the residents who opt in to the service.

Even if the referendum passes, each household has the option to opt in or out of the program on an individual basis.

On Monday night, trustees also approved its annual membership dues to the Will County Governmental League. The amount - $6,182.56 - is higher than last years dues. Pena said that's because the WCGL bases the dues on the population, which grew in Channahon.

In addition to negotiating the electric aggregation if approved, the Will County Governmental League negotiates on behalf of the village in other ways.

"They've kind of been our legal liasons," Pena said. "They are part of the economic development groups."