Happy Friday. Today we have a conversation with ComEd's CEO about rate hikes, the latest crime stats and a look back at a royal visit to Chicago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones joins “Chicago Tonight” on June 4, 2026. (WTTW News)
|
Data centers and warmer temperatures are driving up energy costs in Chicago.
ComEd, Chicago’s primary electricity distributor, announced in May that its customers should expect monthly bills to increase by $2 to $3 beginning June 1.
The utility cited new electricity prices set by the nation’s largest grid operator, PJM Interconnection, growing demand from datacenters and the arrival of summer weather as factors driving the increase.
ComEd has announced a series of customer assistance programs to help offset the higher costs. Meanwhile, state and local energy advocates are pushing for legislation that would limit the ability of technology and energy companies to pass data center-related costs on to consumers.
Here’s what ComEd’s CEO Gil Quiniones had to say when he joined “Chicago Tonight.”
On how much more customers should expect to pay this summer:
“About $2 to $3 (more) per month, and it’s really because of the PJM interconnection supply costs. This is the grid operator that controls our power markets, and we pass that supply cost through our customers, without any markup.”
On how ComEd is handling the rise of data centers:
“We’re making sure that data centers are paying their fair share. We introduced a tariff. It was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission to make sure that the cost imposed by data centers on our transmission and distribution system is paid for by those data centers, to make sure that those extra costs are not passed through the rest of our customers.”
On whether ComEd plans to negotiate a new franchise agreement with Chicago:
“The existing agreement is in place. I don’t think we need an agreement to transition Chicago to clean energy. We’re already doing that. But if and when the city is ready to look at that, a renewal of that agreement, we would be happy to engage with them.”
On the Michael Madigan lobbying scandal:
“We really have been instituting a lot of reforms over the last five-six years. And we operate at the highest level of standards of integrity and ethics. Those are things that are on the rearview mirror at this point for us.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
(WTTW News)
|
Chicago in May saw fewer homicides than it had in any such month over the past two decades, but the number of shootings and shooting victims both ticked upward slightly, according to new police data.
According to the Chicago Police Department, there were 36 homicides throughout last month, two fewer than were recorded during May 2025, a year that ended with a historically low homicide total.
Last month’s total was fewer than any other May in Chicago since 2007, when there were 35 homicides recorded, per CPD data. But the number of shootings (127) and shooting victims (165) in May were up 1% and 4%, respectively over last year.
- Last month also included Chicago’s first homicide-free Memorial Day holiday weekend reportedly for the first time in at least a decade, though 36 people were shot over that three-day span.
- Through the first five months of 2026, Chicago has recorded 167 homicides, an increase of 6% compared to the same time last year, while shootings (546) and shooting victims (664) totals have similarly risen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) appears on “Chicago Tonight” on June 3, 2026. (WTTW News)
|
The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its spring session this week, with a $56 billion budget and some key legislation passed. But questions still remain about the Bears stadium, the fate of proposed taxes, state spending and more.
Democrats hold the governor’s office and a supermajority in both chambers of the General Assembly. But state Republicans still find ways to exert their influence.
Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the spring session from her view.
On Bears stadium incentives:
Keeping the Bears in Illinois is a priority for the Republican caucus “as long as it doesn’t hurt the property tax payer. We want some protections in place, and we believe that the megaprojects bill that passed out of the House would have had that fix in there.”
On bipartisanship in the budget process:
“Collaboration is a push, but certainly I did appreciate the conversation (with Democratic leaders). We have missed that, we haven’t had that. In my first year as leader … we did speak regularly. This is the first year we’ve kind of got back to a conversation. So I’m hopeful that will continue, and hopefully it will grow. The rank-and-file do it much better than (Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch) and I do, so hopefully they continue conversations.”
On the Local Government Distributive Fund:
“In 1968-1969, it was an agreement that a portion of the income tax would be returned to municipalities and villages at 10%. We have not been at that 10% for years. The governor’s proposed budget was to cut that by $60 million, and he decided not to do that. … If you want to lower property taxes rather than blame the local officials and the local school boards, bring that back up to 10%.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
More From WTTW News:
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Back in the Day: June 5, 1996 - Princess Diana Visits Chicago
|
On this day 30 years ago, the Bulls were in the NBA finals against the Seattle Supersonics. Still, arguably, the bigger local news headline was Princess Diana’s first and only visit to Chicago. The Princess of Wales arrived in the city to raise money for cancer research. She visited Northwestern University’s campus, participating in a symposium on breast cancer, met with patients and doctors at Cook County Hospital, and on June 5, 1994, attended a black-tie gala at the Field Museum, where she danced with television host Phil Donahue. Her trip raised over a $1 million for charity and her presence captivated the city. That said, not everyone was impressed. Tribune columnist Mike
Royko dismissively wrote, “Yes, the princess is against cancer, but who isn’t?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who is your favorite actor or actress from Chicago? Tell us why
|
|
|
Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. Here's what you had to
say:
John C Reilly, because he is. - Bruce Mendes
Christian Stolte of Chicago Fire worked in the Chicago trenches for YEARS, coordinating auditions, working behind the scenes, meeting people ... - Darren J. Kairis
Bonnie Hunt, she is Chicago through and through from her accent to her comedic talent starting at Second City. - Sandra Townsend
Lamorne Morris, in Spider Noir, doing Nic Cage as The Spider. Also Fargo. - Steven Head
George Wendt, RIP He is what put Chicago on the map for me. Da Bears. -@grumbeld.bsky.social
Alan Arkin, for cryin' out loud. - @rogrtheshrubber.shrubberies.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
5:30 PM | 7:00 PM
|
|
|
|
Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
|
Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
|
|
|
|
|
