Metro East Sun

Ted Dabrowski, a candidate for governor of Illinois, has criticized Governor J.B. Pritzker's green energy policies, asserting that they are responsible for increasing electricity costs. Dabrowski promised to reverse these policies if elected. His remarks were made during an interview.

"Small business owners in Bellville are struggling with doubled electricity bills because of Gov. Pritzker's extreme green energy policies," said Dabrowski. "he has signed legislation getting rid of natural gas and coal which produces more than 60% of the energy in the MISO territory every day. He will never be able to actually shut down these power sources - and he shouldn't - so what he is actually doing is being dishonest with Illinoisans. We can do better and I will end his green energy mandates."

On September 19, 2025, at the Republican Reagan Day Dinner in O’Fallon, Illinois, Dabrowski addressed the financial challenges faced by families in St. Clair County. He highlighted residential electric bills reaching $500 per month following increases of 18–22% and noted that property taxes in O’Fallon exceed the national average significantly. Dabrowski said that middle-class households were being "fleeced" by what he described as the highest property taxes in the nation and pledged to reform mandates and systems to alleviate costs if he becomes governor. After the dinner, he engaged with young Republicans at a local restaurant, according to his campaign.

Electricity prices in Illinois have risen sharply in recent years, impacting both households and businesses. According to WQAD's reporting, residential Ameren customers experienced a rise in supply rates from approximately $0.08 per kWh to $0.12 per kWh, resulting in an overall bill increase of 18–22%, averaging about $45 more monthly. Analysts attribute this surge to increased capacity auction costs within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market.

The MISO, which manages Illinois and much of the Midwest grid, reported its 2025 capacity auction cleared at $660.50 per megawatt-day—a significant rise from previous years—indicating tightening generation margins as demand grows. Energy is supplied from coal, natural gas, wind, and solar resources. Renewable Energy World suggests these higher prices indicate stress on the system.

Dabrowski is a Republican policy expert and president of Wirepoints, a fiscal research group; he previously served as vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute. In 2025, he announced his candidacy for the 2026 governor’s race with a platform focused on reducing taxes and energy costs while reforming education and addressing crime issues. According to WTTW, Dabrowski positions himself as a data-driven outsider with grassroots Republican support.