Belvidere City Council Reviews Ord. 771H (2nd Reading) – Electric Aggregation

Belvidere City Council’s July 20, 2026 regular-meeting agenda includes a 2nd reading of Ordinance #771H — an item that would authorize the renewal of the city’s municipal electric aggregation program for electrical load. For residents and small businesses, the practical question is what “opt-out” means in this setup, and how to use the notices when they arrive.

Electric aggregation in Illinois: what “opt-out” usually means

In Illinois, municipal aggregation allows municipalities to purchase electricity for residents and small businesses in their communities, with customers able to “opt-out” of their municipality’s electric supply offer. That opt-out concept is outlined in the Illinois Power Agency’s municipal aggregation overview.

What Belvidere says will happen under the program

Belvidere’s Electric Aggregation Program Information and FAQs page says the city was moved to MC Squared Energy Services for its electric aggregation program after a competitive bid process. Belvidere also says residents and small business owners will continue to pay exactly the ComEd rate — while the program uses notice-based enrollment and opt-out choices.

How Belvidere’s “opt-out” notices work (read the letter you get)

Belvidere says notices are mailed to residents and small businesses, and the letters vary depending on your account status. Belvidere’s guidance boils down to this: no action is needed unless you want to be served differently.

Belvidere describes multiple notice types, including:

• Electric Aggregation Notice (opt out): you’re enrolled with MC Squared Energy Services unless you take action to opt out.
• Electric Aggregation Opt-In Notice: you’re enrolled with another supplier, and you stay there unless you take action to enroll with MC2.
• Informational Content Only Notice: you remain with the individual contract you already selected (hourly, net metering, or other supplier) unless you take action to enroll with MC2.
• Informational Content Only: Return to ComEd Notice (a small group): you’re currently enrolled with MC Squared but will be moved back to ComEd; you do nothing (Belvidere says a second letter from ComEd will confirm the drop).

Remember: this is a 2nd reading, not the final step

The ordinance on July 20 is listed as a 2nd reading. A 2nd reading is a step in the legislative process — so residents shouldn’t assume the renewal is final until the council’s action/approval outcome is confirmed.

What Belvidere customers should do next

• Start with the city’s Electric Aggregation Program Information and FAQs page so you can match what you receive in the mail to Belvidere’s described notice types.
• Watch your mail and read the notice carefully — Belvidere says required actions depend on the letter type.
• If you want to opt out (or switch how you’re served), follow the instructions in your specific notice. Don’t rely on how other Illinois municipalities handle aggregation.
• For account-specific questions, Belvidere directs people to contact the program’s supplier (MC Squared Energy Services), and for more complicated issues to contact the city’s aggregation consultant.

Sources

• City of Belvidere — Electric Aggregation Program Information and FAQs
• Illinois Power Agency — Municipal Aggregation overview