SB1653 Summary

• Establishes a consumer education program requiring the Illinois Commerce Commission to provide residential and small commercial customers with information about competitive electric services market options, rights, and responsibilities.

• Directs the Commission to form a working group within 90 days consisting of 5 investor-owned utility representatives, 2 alternative retail electric supplier representatives, 3 consumer advocacy representatives, and Commission staff to develop educational materials.

• Requires the working group to submit printed educational materials by March 1, 1999 (small commercial) and November 1, 2001 (residential) covering industry structure, consumer choices, customer rights/risks, supplier obligations, competitive services, utility tariffed services, billing components, complaint procedures, and additional resources.

• Mandates electric utilities mail approved educational materials to all residential and small commercial customers before they become eligible for alternative supplier service, and requires alternative suppliers include materials in initial customer mailings before executing service contracts.

• Funds the program through annual General Assembly appropriations to the Commission from the General Revenue Fund, prohibiting utilities, suppliers, and customers from bearing printing costs.