The phrase “member powered” describes our identity. The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) exists because of Illinois’ electric cooperatives. And our member cooperatives exist because of the people who own them and the families, farms, businesses and communities they serve.
Everything we do begins and ends with those members — every legislative priority, every training class, every safety program, every communication tool and every service we provide.
Ultimately, it’s all about making Illinois’ electric cooperatives stronger so they can better serve the people who depend on them every day. That is what being “member powered” really means.
When I think about this past year, one word keeps coming to mind — together. No organization succeeds because of one individual. It succeeds because people work together toward a common purpose. Over the past year, our member cooperatives continued demonstrating exactly what cooperation among cooperatives looks like.
When one cooperative finds a better way to solve a problem, everyone benefits. When one cooperative faces a challenge, others step forward to help. And when our industry needs one strong voice, we speak together. That is why the AIEC exists.
One of our most important responsibilities is making sure that electric cooperatives have a seat at the table whenever decisions are made. Those conversations happen every day in Springfield and in Washington, D.C. Increasingly, they happen with policymakers who often don’t fully understand the cooperative business model.
It is our responsibility to educate them. This past year, we worked to protect local control and ensure that new laws support — not hinder — the ability of electric cooperatives to provide reliable and affordable electricity.
But advocacy belongs to all of us. This year, leaders from all our Illinois electric cooperatives participated in our Lobby Day in Springfield, and we took a large group to the U.S. Capitol to advocate for electric cooperatives to make sure Congress understands the unique role electric cooperatives play in rural America.
Those conversations matter. Legislators hear from thousands of people every year.
What they remember are the stories. Stories about farmers, small businesses, manufacturers, schools, hospitals, families and the cooperative employees who work through the night restoring power after storms. Those stories make a difference.
Member powered. Those aren’t just two words. Together, they’re a promise. A promise that our decisions will always begin with our members. A promise that we’ll continue working together. A promise that we’ll remain true to the cooperative principles that have served rural Illinois for generations. If we continue living that promise, I have no doubt that the best days for Illinois electric cooperatives are still ahead.
This is an excerpt of Craig Sondgeroth’s CEO report presented during the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives’ annual meeting on July 30, 2026.
