As we ring in the new year, Illinois lawmakers are gearing up to launch the 104th General Assembly on Jan. 8. The spring legislative session, running through May 31, promises to be a pivotal period of discussion and debate on issues impacting communities across the state. Amid this legislative activity, the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) will be at the Capitol, advocating for the interests of Illinois’ electric cooperatives and their consumer-members.
The AIEC’s mission is clear: to ensure that new laws and regulations help, rather than hinder, the ability of Illinois’ not-for-profit electric cooperatives to provide reliable and affordable electricity to their consumer-members. A critical element of this mission is maintaining open, constructive communication with elected officials as they shape energy policies. At the heart of this advocacy lies the compelling story of electric cooperatives — a story worth sharing.
Born from the transformative Rural Electrification Act of the 1930s, electric cooperatives emerged as a beacon for rural communities that were previously left in the dark. When investor-owned utilities deemed these areas unprofitable, rural citizens united to bring electricity to their homes and farms. Today, electric cooperatives continue to empower rural Illinois, guided by several important principles, including:
- Member ownership and democratic control: Electric cooperatives are unique in that they are owned by the people they serve. Consumer-members elect directors to represent their interests, ensuring that policies and procedures align with the community’s needs and priorities.
- Community focus: Cooperatives are more than electricity providers; they are integral to the well-being of rural communities. From delivering reliable energy to supporting education and fostering local development, co-ops are deeply invested in enhancing everyday life.
- Not-for-profit commitment: As not-for-profit entities, electric co-ops give any revenue back to those they serve. These are called capital credits, and they are returned to members.
In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, it’s more important than ever for elected officials to hear and understand this story — and for your voice to be part of the conversation. By joining Voices for Cooperative Power (VCP), you can play a vital role in advocating for your cooperative and its mission. VCP is a grassroots network uniting more than 1.1 million advocates nationwide to shape energy policies that keep the lights on.
Through VCP, you’ll receive updates on key issues and opportunities to make your voice heard in Springfield, Washington, D.C., and beyond. You’ll also have the chance to share your own story about the impact your co-op has on your community. Together, we can ensure that the foundational principles of local democratic control, affordability and reliability remain central to the future of electric cooperatives.
Visit aiec.coop/iclvcp to get involved. Your participation strengthens the collective voice of co-op members throughout Illinois and helps ensure that our rural communities continue to thrive. Let’s work together to keep the lights on, the power affordable and the spirit of cooperation alive.
