Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA)

IMEA Contract Update 

The St. Charles City Council declined a motion to accept a new 20-year contract with current energy provider Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) at a special Government Services Committee meeting Aug. 11. The city is expected to begin searching for a new energy provider by 2029 or 2030 to ensure a new agreement is in place before the current IMEA contract expires in 2035.

Background

The City of St. Charles contract to continue purchasing power with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) was up for review. The City’s goal in securing a municipal power contract is working with a supplier that will deliver a consistent, reliable supply of power at stable prices for St. Charles electric customers over the long-term. 

Recognizing that this is an important decision for the community, the City began discussing the new IMEA contract in a series of public meetings beginning April 1, 2024. Scroll down to for a link to view the presentations and watch the meetings. 

Increasing the City’s use of sustainable energy is the goal; however, there are important factors the City must consider when weighing our power supplier options:  

IMEA Working Group Members 

• Mayor Clint Hull 
• Ward 2 Alderperson Ryan Bongard 
• Ward 4 Alderperson Bryan Wirball 
• City Administrator Heather McGuire 
• Public Works Director Peter Suhr 
• Assistant Director of Public Works Chris Adesso 
• Greg Taylor, Don Brown, Charlotte Schumaier, and Debi Mader from Tri Cities Clean Energy 
• An independent energy supply consultant will help facilitate Working Group activities 

The IMEA Working Group examined suppliers, energy sources (renewable vs. traditional), consistent supply capacity, reliability, and potential costs. The group shared its findings at the July 28, 2025, Government Services Committee. 

About IMEA 

The IMEA is a not-for-profit joint-action agency comprised of 32 municipal electric systems throughout Illinois, including the City of St. Charles. Members work together to supply power and provide other related utility services to their communities. IMEA uses the combined purchasing power of its 32 members to secure competitive wholesale energy pricing. Membership in IMEA has provided the City's electric customers with more stable electric rates, compared to other power suppliers, as member communities reap the benefits of ownership in electrical generation facilities that provide a greater chance of more stable rates. All contracts are developed and approved by the IMEA Board of Directors, which includes representation from St. Charles and the 31 other participating member municipalities. 

Current IMEA Contract Information 

IMEA has provided the City with reliable, affordable energy for several decades: 

• December 21, 1999: The City of St. Charles began purchasing partial electric power for its Electric Utility with IMEA 
• June 17, 2004: The City’s current contract with IMEA to purchase all of its electric power with IMEA began 
• September 30, 2035: Current contract ends 

New IMEA Contract Information 

To secure long-term, completive power pricing and ensure the needed resources are in place, IMEA set an April 30, 2025, date to sign a new contract, which would extend power supply purchasing through May 31, 2055. IMEA granted the City an extension to August 19, 2025, to offer additional time to research options. 

Why Does the City have to Sign the Contract Now? 

While the current contract doesn’t expire until September 30, 2035, a commitment is requested now to: 

1. Lock in long-term energy pricing at current rates 
2. Allow IMEA to commit to invest in the development of new energy resources, including renewable energy options in IMEA’s power portfolio 
3. Identify power resources with the capacity to supply St. Charles customers consistently through May 31, 2055 

Have the Other IMEA Communities Signed the New Contract? 

28 of the 32 IMEA member communities have signed the new contract. Most notably, St. Charles and Naperville are the two largest community members who have not signed a new contract yet and are still reviewing their options. 

Current IMEA Contract(PDF, 2MB)

Contract Extension Offer(PDF, 167KB)

IMEA & Environmental Sustainability 

IMEA is committed to increasing the amount of renewable energy in its portfolio, as this energy becomes available.  In 2023, the IMEA Board of Directors unanimously approved a Sustainability Plan that has a vision of power generated with net-zero carbon emissions for its members by 2050.  IMEA staff has agreed to keep member communities apprised of plan progress with board presentations, annual reports, and regular member stakeholder meetings. 

IMEA also developed a Resource Plan that outlines how the agency will meet those sustainability goals. This plan includes the retirement of Prairie State and Trimble County coal plants and identifies how the agency will replace the energy and capacity currently being served by those resources. 

Sustainability Plan(PDF, 2MB)

Resource Planning Guide(PDF, 440KB)

Visit the IMEA website to read about the agency, learn about power resources, renewable generation, and more. 

IMEA Government Services Public Meetings

April 1, 2024 Government Services Meeting

Presentation(PDF, 4MB)

Meeting Video

April 22, 2024 Government Services Meeting

Presentation(PDF, 3MB)

Meeting Video

May 28, 2024 Government Services Meeting 

Presentation(PDF, 5MB)

Meeting Video

June 24, 2024 Government Services Meeting 

Presentation(PDF, 3MB)

Meeting Video

March 24, 2025 Government Services Meeting 

Presentation(PDF, 3MB)

Meeting Video

May 27, 2025 Government Services Meeting 

Meeting Video

There was no presentation at this meeting.

July 28, 2025 Government Services Meeting

Presentation(PDF, 2MB)

Meeting Video

August 11, 2025 Special Government Services Meeting

Meeting Video

There was no presentation at this meeting.