Rising Utility Costs Shouldn’t Fall on Older Adults — AARP Illinois Pushes for Accountability

It is no secret that electricity and utility prices continue to rise across Illinois, putting real pressure on households, especially older adults living on fixed incomes. AARP Illinois continues to take action to stem these rate hikes.

One growing driver of these increases is the rapid expansion of large data centers, which support artificial intelligence and cloud computing but require massive amounts of electricity and water. While these facilities fuel economic growth, their soaring energy demand strains the grid and can push costs onto everyday consumers.

To that end, AARP Illinois has filed House Bill 4514, legislation designed to bring greater transparency and accountability to the utility rate-setting process. HB 4514 would strengthen public participation by requiring meaningful, accessible public hearings on general rate increases—giving consumers a real opportunity to share how higher bills affect their daily lives and the sacrifices that they must make due to these higher utility costs.

The growing need for data centers, requiring massive amounts of electricity and water drives these rate increases. In this regard, AARP members and other older Americans are clear about where they stand. In a recent AARP survey, 78% of respondents said large data centers should bear the costs associated with their energy use, rather than passing those expenses on to consumers. Nearly three-quarters (75%) agree that state policymakers should protect consumers from rising utility costs driven by these centers. These concerns are especially urgent given that 79% of Americans age 50 and older report their electric bills have increased over the past year.

As demand for electricity grows alongside the expansion of AI and data centers, AARP Illinois will continue to work with policymakers and community-based organizations to keep electricity affordable for consumers. Older adults should not be forced to shoulder rising costs they cannot control, and AARP Illinois will keep fighting for a utility system that is fair, transparent, and puts consumers first.