On Monday’s Chicago’s Morning Answer, Amy Jacobson and guest co-host John Anthony welcomed Lisa Druss, spokesperson for the Clean Energy Choice Coalition and CEO of Strategia Consulting, to discuss her group’s lawsuit against the Village of Oak Park over its ban on natural gas in new construction.
The ordinance, modeled after a now-overturned ban in Berkeley, California, prohibits natural gas hookups in new residential and commercial buildings, requiring all-electric appliances and heating systems instead. Druss said the coalition—comprised of labor unions, homebuilders, the National Homebuilders Association, and Local 150—filed suit in April, arguing the ordinance is federally preempted by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
“This is about energy freedom and protecting working families from skyrocketing utility costs,” Druss said. “We support decarbonization, but we need to do it the right way. That includes maintaining choice and protecting affordable energy options like natural gas.”
The lawsuit draws on legal precedent from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that Berkeley’s similar ban violated federal law. The coalition is now awaiting a formal response to its complaint from Oak Park officials, which is expected this week.
Jacobson and Anthony pressed Druss on the broader implications of the ordinance, particularly as similar policies are being considered in other Illinois communities, including Naperville and Evanston. Druss noted that Evanston’s recently passed ordinance does not yet have implementation rules in place, but warned that growing momentum for electric-only mandates could drive up energy costs and reduce reliability statewide.
Citing new data, Druss said electricity rates in Illinois are already up 45% from last summer, with commercial rates averaging 13.13 cents per kilowatt-hour and residential rates at 17.59 cents. In contrast, natural gas costs just 1 cent per kilowatt-hour.
“The real issue isn’t that we’re running out of natural gas—it’s that we’re running out of electricity,” she said. “The grid simply isn’t big enough to handle the demand, especially with the explosion of data centers and growing residential needs.”
Druss also criticized energy aggregation plans and state regulators for failing to intervene, noting the rising burden on Amaren customers south of I-80, who are being hit with both delivery and transmission rate increases. She encouraged Illinois residents to check their bills closely, especially as summer electric usage spikes, and to contact local and state officials if they are concerned about forced enrollment in municipal aggregation plans or other mandates.
“This isn’t just about energy,” she added. “It’s about jobs, affordability, and letting people make their own decisions. When you eliminate natural gas, you eliminate choice—and you hurt workers, homebuilders, and families.”
Druss encouraged listeners to learn more or join the coalition by visiting ourcleanenergychoice.com.
As electric bills rise and local governments consider more aggressive electrification mandates, the coalition is bracing for what it calls a long-term fight to preserve energy choice in Illinois.