IL SB0465

Amends Section 8-304 of the Public Utilities Act to make a technical change concerning estimated billing practices by utilities.

Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of estimated billing practices and policies used by major public utilities providing gas or electric service.

Study must analyze the frequency and circumstances of estimated billing over the past 10 years, reasons for estimated billing, methods used to calculate estimates, and accuracy of estimation methods compared to actual usage.

Directs the Commission to assess current means of minimizing estimated bills and identify alternative incentives, including outside meters, mandatory monthly meter readings, and interest payments on overestimated bills.

Requires the Commission to hold public hearings on the study findings and initiate rulemaking to establish rules minimizing estimated billing frequency and improving estimation accuracy, with recommendations provided to the General Assembly.