Nicor permitted to raise gas rates but not as high as company wants: Illinois Commerce Commission

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Nicor is allowed to raise gas rates, but not as high as the company wants.

That's the recommendation from the Illinois Commerce Commission.



Nicor wanted to bump up bills by 9%, about a $7 monthly increase for customers.

The commission says that's too steep.



It will vote on the rate hike next month.

Nicor would raise rates by $204 million, rather than the $314 million the company proposed.

Opponents say a new increase would be Nicor's fifth in eight years.

While a significant reduction, the recommendation falls short of the $153 million in cuts proposed by consumer advocates and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, opponents said.