From data centers to grid costs, here’s why your energy bill keeps rising

Back in the spring, energy officials predicted that Illinoisians would pay about 10% to 15%, or an average of $10.60 more, on their utility bills this summer.

Since then, at least two major heat waves swept across the Midwest in June and July, bringing temperatures above 90 and heat indices of more than 100. But hot temperatures aren’t the only reason some have seen higher-than-normal energy bills recently.

Another major component is the increase in demand for electricity on the grid that the region uses, energy economist Kenneth Gillingham of Yale University said.

“There’s two things that could be going on. One is we’ve had very hot weather; it’s been another hot summer,” Gillingham said. “And rates have been largely inching up. ... There has been, broadly around the country, an upward