Deerfield Electric Bills Could Drop

A potential savings on the average Deerfield electric bill became a possibility Monday when the unanimously voted to place a referendum on the March 20 primary ballot to allow the Village to contract for bulk energy purchases. 

If the ballot measure is approved, residents will have the option to buy electricity from a cooperative which is being formed with other suburban communities, continue to purchase power from or contract with a separate company on their own according to Village Manager Ken Street.

ComEd will continue to deliver the electricity, maintain the power grid and make repairs when the need arises.

The opportunity for private purchasing of electricity was approved a few months ago by the Illinois General Assembly. Highland Park and Lake Forest have already placed the measure on the March 20 ballot.

In a separate matter, the Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Northbrook, Park Ridge and Skokie to form a consortium to purchase electricity if the ballot measure is approved.

In addition to Deerfield, Lake Forest and Highland Park, those other communities will be voting on the measure March 20 as well.

If the initiative passes, the average Deerfield electric bill will decline approximately $100 per year according to Street.

made it clear the Village could not advocate a position on the referendum but would do all it could to make sure local voters had the necessary material to make an informed choice.

“Our job will be to educate,” Rosenthal said. “We cannot advocate but we can educate. If we can do something to save our citizens money it will be a good thing.”