The Illinois Energy Consortium (IEC) is a joint energy purchasing consortium sponsored by IASB, IASA and IASBO. It is designed to lower utility costs for Illinois school districts and community colleges to make more funds available for technology, staff development and other educational goals. The IEC is governed by a Board consisting of three representatives from each sponsoring association and includes each association's executive director. The IEC, with the assistance of Latham and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, conducted an economic feasibility study of forming an electric purchasing consortium for its members and found that members could expect significant savings by forming an energy consortium. The IEC became operational on October 1, 1999, providing electricity to the Commonwealth Edison, Illinois Power and Ameren Territories. The Board of Directors selected Ameren Energy Marketing from Peoria, IL as the Program Administrator. They provide individual analysis for interested school districts and provide a consolidated bill for participating members.

Latham and Associates performed a feasibility study for a Natural Gas Program for the IEC. The IEC Board reviewed the findings and on March 1, 2002, the IEC began its brand new Natural Gas Program. The Board received seven proposals for Program Administrator and Supplier to the IEC.

A subcommittee of three, interviewed four candidates and selected Peoples Energy Services (PES) of Chicago as Program Administrator and Supplier. Any school district in the NICOR, Peoples and North Shore Natural Gas areas using more than 20,000 therms are expected to save money. Any school district that is interested in or has questions about the IEC's Electric or Natural Gas Programs should immediately contact Ron Steigerwald at 847.567.3051. His fax number is 847.634.8254 and his email is rsteigerwald@hotmail.com

The IEC's Response to
the Chicago Tribune Article