Popular city guides: Chicago
Contact the electric and/or gas utility that serves the new address before move-in. Ask whether you need a transfer (same company) or start/stop service. Have account number, both addresses, dates, ID, and lease/closing docs ready.
Use the emergency/outage number for downed lines or no power. For gas odor, leave the area and call 911, then the gas utility emergency line.
Ask about deposits, budget billing, medical baselines, and assistance programs when you open the account.
Some states allow retail choice for electricity and/or gas. Where choice exists, you may pick a supplier while the utility still delivers the energy.
| Provider | Website | Customer support | Emergency / outage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ComEd | www.comed.com | 1-800-334-7661 | 1-800-334-7661 |
| Ameren Illinois | www.ameren.com | 1-800-755-5000 | 1-800-755-5000 |
| MidAmerican Energy (IL) | Confirm on company site | 1-888-427-5632 | 1-800-799-4443 |
| CWLP (Springfield) | Confirm on company site | 217-789-2121 | 217-789-2121 |
| Provider | Website | Customer support | Emergency / outage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicor Gas | www.nicorgas.com | 1-888-642-6748 | 1-888-642-6748 |
| Peoples Gas (Chicago) | www.peoplesgasdelivery.com | 1-866-556-6001 | 1-866-556-6002 |
| North Shore Gas | Confirm on company site | 1-866-556-6005 | 1-866-556-6005 |
See also: transfer electricity connection, pay utility bill, find my electric company.
Source note: National utility phone directory (2025-2026); websites matched where known and should be confirmed on the company’s site. Chat stays available if you need help using this guide.