Algonquin likely to try for electric aggregation again

Algonquin voters are likely to again face a referendum question asking them to let the village negotiate lower electric rates for them.

The Algonquin committee of the whole this week agreed to put the electric aggregation question on the March 14 ballot. A similar measure in 2012 failed by less than a dozen votes.

The village board will vote Tuesday whether to add the question to the ballot.

“I see no reason why it would not be approved,” Trustee Jerry Glogowski said.

If voters approve the referendum the village would negotiate a bulk purchase of electricity that could result in savings up to 27 percent for residential and small commercial property owners, said Michael Kumbera, assistant to the village manager. Residents would retain the right to opt out of any new coverage.

ComEd would still provide service, delivery and billing.

Glogowski says the measure failed last time because not enough people understood what the question was asking of them, despite a campaign by the village to educate taxpayers.

“We want to make sure the people are saving money, and if it means just better educating them and for them to make a better choice, I mean why not?,” Glogowski said. “If the people say no then maybe we have to think about our approach again. I voted for the referendum. I thought it would be beneficial for my pocketbook so I went for it.”