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Pingree Grove to vote on electricity provider

Residents of Pingree Grove will vote in March whether to allow the village to seek bids for electricity from companies other than ComEd, which could result in savings for residents and small business.

Trustee voted unanimously to put the referendum question on the next ballot at the village board meeting earlier this week.

If approved at the polls, the village would hold two public hearings before seeking bids in early June, officials said. The Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative would solicit bids and compare them to ComEd’s rates, and the village would move forward only if the new rates are “favorable,” officials said.

“This is a good opportunity to save some money for the community,” Trustee Brian Paszkiewicz said. Yearly savings can amount to $100 to $200 per household, he said.

“It’s a ‘no-lose’ situation,” Village President Greg Marston said.

Monthly bills still would come from ComEd, which would continue to respond to any calls for service. Residents and small businesses would be able to opt out of the new program, if one is implemented.