Com Ed rate hike approved

Utility rates for millions of ComEd customers in Illinois are set to rise by about $4.50 a month.

The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a delivery rate increase today for the utility giant.

ComEd spokeswoman Alicia Zatkowski says the company requested an increase last October to reflect the higher costs of materials used to maintain and upgrade ComEd's infrastructure, including power wires and utility poles.

ComEd last raised rates by 2.5 percent in June to pay for the

higher cost of producing energy.

The company provides electricity for 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois.