ComEd to Provide $2.5 Million in Bill Relief to HelpSmall Businesses Offset Rising PJM Supply Costs
ComEd’s one-time grants to help this business-customersegment reduce the burden of rising energy costs
CHICAGO (June 4, 2026) – Today,ComEd, together with its community partners, announced $2.5 million in new billassistance that will soon be available to help eligible business customers copewith higher PJM supply costs during the summer. Backed by Exelon, ComEd’s parent company, thisextension of last year’s Customer Relief Fund will offer a one-time, matchinggrant of up to $500 to eligible small- and medium-sized business customerslocated within ComEd’s northern Illinois service territory.
Grantapplications will only be accepted online starting Monday, June 15 at ComEd.com/SMBRelief.Applications will not be accepted by phone. Small- and medium-sized businesscustomers can visit the site now for more information. A link to applicationswon’t be posted to the site until June 15.
“IncreasingPJM-related energy supply costs present challenges to customers in many partsof the country, including small businesses that are a critical part of theeconomy in the communities ComEd serves across northern Illinois,” said Gil C. Quiniones, President andCEO, ComEd. “The Customer Relief Fund is designed to deliver immediatebilling relief to thousands of ComEd’s small-business customers, ensuringthey’re able to continue providing jobs to local residents, while contributingto the cultural vibrancy of our region.”
ComEdannounced the fund in collaboration with Neighborhood HousingServices (NHS) of Chicago, an organization that willadminister the fund. To qualify for grants, a business’s energy use must beunder 500 kilowatts, have an active ComEd account with a commercial meter(home-based businesses are ineligible) and a past-due balance, along with nounpaid tampering fees and no bankruptcy.
“Thrivingsmall businesses are essential to building strong, resilient communities. Thisinnovative partnership with ComEd will deliver meaningful, direct assistance toentrepreneurs and neighborhood-serving businesses in communities that need itmost,” said AnthonyE. Simpkins, President and CEO of Neighborhood HousingServices of Chicago. We are honored to help ensure that local businessowners have access to resources that reduce financial stress and enable them tocontinue serving as anchors of economic opportunity for the residents andneighborhoods that depend on them.”
About the Customer Relief Fund
TheCustomer Relief Fund is designed to provide timely relief to ComEd small- andmedium-sized business customers who, often, are major employers andcontributors to their communities. These businesses are most impacted by thenationwide rise in energy costs stemming from a combination of unprecedentedgrowth in electricity demand, record-breaking supply prices, and market factorsthat are sustaining elevated prices. While ComEd does not control supply pricesset within regional markets nor profit from their increase, ComEd remainscommitted to implementing practical measures to help mitigate PJM supply costson families and businesses. The fund builds upon last year’s $10 millionCustomer Relief Fund, which provided bill relief for approximately 33,000 customers.
“CBA, asa business association, works continuously to help companies boostprofitability through reliable advice aimed at improving their financialperformance,” said MelindaKelly, President of the Chatham Business Association(CBA). “ComEd’s notable $2.5 million relief fund, along with the CBAComEd Community Energy Assistance Ambassador program,which provides access to affordable energy options and budget-friendlysolutions for qualifying residents, are representative of our shared missionand values to support hyper-local projects and offer affordable energysolutions for all ComEd customers.”
“We areexcited to be a part of this meaningful partnership with ComEd, NHS, and theCBA,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, presidentand CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “The Customer Relief Fund isindicative of challenges felt throughout our city. The support of the businesssector is critical to helping our entire community weather the financial storm.ComEd, NHS and the CBA are trusted partners, and we are grateful to GilQuiniones, Anthony Simpkins and Melinda Kelly for their leadership.”
“Withenergy prices skyrocketing across the Midwest, we’re working to protectconsumers and lower costs,” said State Senator Elgie R.Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “The ComEdCustomer Relief Fund works toward the same goal – ensuring our neighborhoodbusinesses can find some relief while keeping the lights on. I encourage localbusinesses to see if they qualify and apply now.”
The newrelief fund adds to ComEd’s current programs that help businesses manage energyuse and cut future costs. Offerings include facility assessments and cashincentives for improvements like LED lighting, smart controls, sensors,refrigeration, HVAC compressors and insulation. In 2025, ComEd businesscustomers received over $187 million in incentives to offset the cost ofenergy-efficiency improvements. For information on ComEd energy-efficiencyoptions for small- and medium-sized businesses, visit ComEd.com/SmallBiz.
Inannouncing the new relief fund, ComEd also reminds residential customers thatit can help connect them to a variety of bill-support programs for families andindividuals, like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)and the Low-Income Discount (LID) program,as well as a host of award-winning energy-efficiencyprograms to help customers manage their energy use to reduce their future billcosts. Information on all of these programs can be found on ComEd’s SmartAssistance Manager at ComEd.com/SAM.
Together,these efforts reflect the energy company’s dedication to The Exelon Promise. Thiscustomer-focused strategy from Exelon aims to provide quick relief, strongprotections and lasting solutions to rising energy costs. In addition to LIDand last year’s Customer Relief Fund, other efforts include:
