UTILITIES-ELECTRIC SERVICE

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Authorizes the Illinois Commerce Commission to extend the time for considering a certificate of service authority request by an alternative retail electric supplier under specified circumstances. Adds to the findings the Commission must make when granting a certificate of service authority for an alternative retail electric supplier. Requires an alternative retail electric supplier and an alternative gas supplier to provide the Commission and Attorney General the rates it charged to residential customers in the prior quarter. Requires an alternative retail electric supplier's marketing materials that include a price per kilowatt-hour for competitive electricity service include a specific statement that the alternative retail electric supplier is not the same entity as the customer's electric utility delivery company and directing the customer to the Commission's website. Requires an alternative retail electric supplier to provide notices to residential customers concerning certain rate changes. Provides that complaints against an alternative retail electric supplier may be filed with the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall ensure alternative retail electric suppliers and alternative gas suppliers have proper training in place to prohibit impersonation of a utility, investigate complaints, and impose fines for each incident. Provides that the Commission may establish a program for promising expanded use of energy savings programs for residential and small commercial customers. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. In provisions concerning electric service provider selection, provides that suppliers shall maintain and preserve an electronic version of third-party verifications if automated. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.