Senator Wilcox Seeks to Address Rising Energy Costs and Strengthen Grid Reliability
As Illinois families and businesses continue to face elevated electricity costs, I am renewing my call for policies aimed at improving affordability, strengthening grid reliability, and expanding energy generation.
Of major concern is the fact that ComEd’s October rates are roughly 4.3 percent higher than they were at this time last year. The increase comes amid concerns about tight electricity supplies, aging power generation facilities, and insufficient new generation to meet growing demand.
Illinois families need lasting solutions to rising energy costs, not policies that make reliable electricity more expensive or difficult to produce. I am co-sponsoring several legislative proposals aimed at addressing the state’s energy challenges, including:
- Senate Bill 3580: Creates a task force to monitor energy reliability, evaluate the impact of state energy policies, and support emerging technologies such as carbon capture.
- Senate Bill 3581: Repeals mandates requiring the closure of reliable coal and natural gas power plants and restores opportunities for future energy generation projects.
- Senate Bill 3582: Streamlines the permitting process for new energy infrastructure projects to reduce delays and help bring additional power generation online more quickly.
- Senate Bill 4002: Restores local control by requiring approval from affected counties, townships, and municipalities before commercial wind, solar, or energy storage facilities can be constructed.
- Senate Bill 2687: Creates the Home Utility Relief Act to provide rebates to eligible families struggling with rising utility bills.
- Senate Bill 3970: Requires comprehensive cost-benefit analyses before major natural gas system changes are approved, including an examination of potential impacts on utility bills and reliability.
- Senate Bill 4028: Modernizes utility interconnection rules to reduce project delays, address inconsistent upgrade costs, and help bring additional energy resources online more efficiently.
I also supported House Bill 5524, which was signed into law earlier this year. The measure requires a publicly available report detailing electric utility fees and surcharges, giving consumers greater insight into the charges appearing on their monthly bills.
These legislative proposals focus on providing financial relief to struggling households while addressing longer-term challenges involving energy generation, reliability, transparency, and consumer protections.
Free Veteran Luncheon and Resource Expo Set for October 24
State Senator Darby Hills and I are inviting area veterans and their families to a complimentary Veterans Luncheon and Expo we are co-hosting on Saturday, Oct. 24, to recognize their service and connect them with valuable resources and support.
Attendees can enjoy lunch, fellowship, and guest speakers while visiting an expo featuring organizations that provide programs, benefits, and services for veterans and their families. The event is designed to bring veterans together and help them make connections with organizations that can assist with their needs.
Veterans Luncheon and Expo
Saturday, October 24
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Knights of Columbus Hall
365 Surryse Road, Suite 280
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
The event is free to attend, but an RSVP is requested to ensure adequate seating and meals are available. To RSVP, please contact Barb O’Malley at bomalleywest@sgop.ilga.gov or call 224-662-4544.
Wilcox Invites Community to Support Toys for Tots Through Local Collection Efforts
Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the excitement and joy of the holiday season, but for families facing financial challenges, providing gifts can be difficult. Toys for Tots gives all of us an opportunity to help make the holidays a little brighter for children in our communities.
This year I am once again partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots campaign, opening my district office as a local collection site for new, unwrapped toys that will be distributed to children throughout the region this holiday season.
On Saturday, I was at the Johnsburg Walmart location for a toy collection blitz and a $5,000 check presentation from Walmart to Toys for Tots. It was a successful collection that will go far in making the holidays exciting for many children.
Those who still wish to participate but couldn’t attend the October 17 Walmart event can drop off new, unwrapped toys at my legislative office in Woodstock. Toys will be picked up from the legislative office at the beginning of December.
2026 Toys for Tots Collection
Senator Craig Wilcox’s District Office
209 North Benton Street
Woodstock, IL
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Local Toys for Tots campaigns are conducted annually in more than 800 communities across all 50 states. Each community campaign is coordinated by a Marine, a member of a Marine Corps League Detachment, or a designated member of the local community. Following collection, toys are distributed with the assistance of social service agencies, churches, and other community organizations to children who might otherwise go without a gift during the holidays.
Wilcox Co-Hosts Successful Senior Expo in Crystal Lake
I want to thank everyone who came out to my annual Senior Expo, which was held last week in Crystal Lake. We had well over 100 visitors who were able to receive valuable information from organizations that cater to the needs of Illinois seniors.
Many took advantage of free flu shots and other services that were offered at no cost. We had over 30 tables at this year’s expo, and my deepest thanks goes out to all who helped make this annual event a tremendous success!
Illinois Finance Authority Launches Grain Storage Loan Program for Farmers
As Illinois farmers face rising operating costs, the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) has launched a new pilot loan program aimed at helping farmers expand their on-site grain storage capacity.
The program is expected to offer loans at a low interest rate of 2% to help farmers finance the construction or expansion of on-site grain storage facilities.
By increasing their storage capacity, farmers can reduce transportation and off-site storage costs while gaining greater flexibility in deciding when to sell their grain. Rather than selling immediately after harvest when prices may be lower, farmers can store their grain and wait to sell at a later date when it would be more profitable.
According to news reports, the program will utilize privately financed loans while helping reduce risk for lenders, making low-interest financing more accessible to farmers.
Additional details, including eligibility requirements and application instructions, are expected to be released later. For more information about the program, farmers can contact Francisco Galliano at fgalliano@il-fa.com.
IDNR Offers Free Chronic Wasting Disease Testing for Deer Hunters
With deer hunting season underway in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding hunters about the importance of testing harvested deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and other members of the deer family. The disease has no known cure and can spread between infected animals, often going undetected for extended periods before symptoms appear.
To help monitor and limit the spread of CWD, IDNR is offering free, voluntary mail-in testing kits that allow hunters to collect and submit lymph node samples from harvested deer.
The kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis and include instructions for safely collecting and submitting samples for testing. Hunters interested in participating can request a free testing kit online.
Protecting Our Families Through National Drug Take Back Day
Unused and expired medications can pose serious risks when they are left sitting in our homes. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, taking place Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., gives Illinois families a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted medications and help prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. Needles cannot be dropped off at these events.
I encourage residents to take a few minutes to check their medicine cabinets for medications they no longer need and bring them to a participating collection site. The initiative is an important part of preventing prescription drug misuse, accidental poisonings and other dangers associated with improperly stored medications.
The April 2026 Take Back Day resulted in more than 642,000 pounds of unwanted medications being collected nationwide. Since the program began in 2010, more than 21 million pounds of medications have been safely removed from homes and communities.
Keeping our families and communities safe starts with simple steps we can all take. I encourage everyone to clean out their medicine cabinets, safely dispose of medications they no longer need and help make Illinois a safer place for our families.
To find a participating collection site near you, visit the DEA’s National Take Back Day collection-site locator.
Medicare Open Enrollment: Review Your Coverage for 2027
Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment period runs now through December 7, giving beneficiaries an opportunity to review their current coverage and make changes for 2027. The Illinois Department on Aging encourages residents to compare plans carefully, as some premiums are increasing, prescription drug coverage may change, and certain plans will not be renewed next year.
Beneficiaries should review their Annual Notice of Change to understand updates to their plan’s costs and benefits. Free, unbiased counseling is available through Illinois’ Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), which helps residents navigate Medicare options and identify potential savings.
For assistance, call SHIP at 1-800-252-8966 or email Aging.SHIP@Illinois.gov. Residents can also contact their local SHIP site to schedule an appointment. Bringing a list of current medications, preferred pharmacies and insurance plan information can help beneficiaries make the most of their counseling session.
2027 Health Insurance Marketplace Rates Released
The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) has released 2027 rates for health plans offered through the Get Covered Illinois Marketplace. The statewide weighted average rate increase for individual plans is 14.1%, down from 28.8% last year. Please note that the ACA Illinois rates posted online do not represent the actual premiums paid by the consumer. Actual premiums will vary based on plan selection and eligibility for financial assistance.
Open enrollment runs November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027, with residents able to preview plans and costs beginning October 19. In 2026, more than 466,000 Illinois residents enrolled in marketplace coverage, and approximately 85% received premium tax credits to help lower monthly costs.
Free enrollment assistance is available through certified navigators and brokers statewide. Visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov/LocalHelp or call 866-311-1119 for assistance.