As many of you know, Winnetka’s Village Council voted unanimously on June 17 to approve a 20-year contract extension with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA). This decision follows repeated efforts by the Winnetka Future Energy Coalition and other residents to raise serious concerns about the risks and long-term consequences of the contract, particularly its dependence on coal-fired power. We are deeply disappointed by this outcome.

Our objections to the IMEA contract have been clearly articulated through public comments at Village meetings, letters submitted to the Council, and communications shared via this web page and newsletters. We remain steadfast in our belief that this contract does not reflect a forward-looking or sustainable energy strategy for our community.

The Chicago Tribune covered the vote in a June 18 article titled "Winnetka signs contentious 20-year extension with coal-dependent electric provider."  The Village also addressed the decision in its June 18 newsletter, noting that work is underway with the Village’s Sustainability Coordinator to develop a Climate Action Plan. This plan will reportedly explore projects such as a solar array on the decommissioned landfill and the possibility of cleaner electricity generation at the Village’s power plant.

Today, The Record North Shore released its own article entitled, “This is a hard issue”: Winnetka trustees give final approval to controversial IMEA extension.

While the Village has chosen to move forward with this contract, our commitment to advocating for sustainable energy solutions remains unchanged. Groups like Go Green Winnetka and the Environmental, Forestry and Sustainability Commission will continue to push for initiatives that reduce our community’s carbon footprint and support cleaner, more resilient energy alternatives.

To stay informed and engaged in these efforts, we invite you to follow the progress in the Go Green Winnetka monthly newsletter. 

If you would like to reach out to us or stay in touch, please email us at winnetkafuture@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support.

The Winnetka Future Energy Coalition

Laith Amin, Tom Barron, Teri Cross, Go Green Winnetka, Patrick Hanley, Roger Hochschild, Liz Kunkle, King Poor, Katie Scullion, Derek van der Vorst, Marcus Wedner, Craig Witty, Bob Zabors

IMEA Contract Vote: Too Costly? Too Risky?

On June 3, Winnetka trustees voted unanimously to move forward with a 20-year electricity contract with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA)—even though the agreement won’t take effect for nearly a decade. A final vote is scheduled for June 17.

The Winnetka Future Energy Coalition (WFEC) is concerned about the lack of key steps that would ensure a well-informed decision. We’ve respectfully asked the Village to do two simple things before signing:

1. Have an independent energy attorney review the contract.
   
   
2. Meet with alternative energy providers to understand our options.

In the past year, not a single resident has spoken publicly in support of the contract. Many—some with deep expertise in energy—have raised serious concerns. “In my 35 years in the energy sector, specifically electric and gas, I’ve never seen a worse contract,” said resident Bob Zabors.

One big concern is how rates will be determined. According to the contract and a memo from former Electric Director Brian Keyes, charges are “cost-based,” meaning we pay a share of IMEA’s costs regardless of how much power we use. That could leave Winnetka exposed to uncontrollable cost increases.

Other communities are pressing pause. Naperville Councilman Ian Holzhauer recently urged our Village to do the same:  “It has become increasingly apparent to me that we are unlikely to embrace IMEA’s expensive coal power future… If you’re assuming your peers across IMEA will quietly go along—don’t.”

This deal is not done. There’s still time for trustees to tap the brakes, ask questions, and make sure Winnetka gets this right. We understand IMEA has hinted at penalties for delay—but with major members like Naperville and St. Charles holding off, we believe Winnetka has leverage.

The Winnetka Future Energy Coalition has updated and edited this OpEd, originally written by Grace Scullion, raised in Winnetka, who started investigating her hometown’s ties to the Prairie State Energy Campus as part of an environmental journalism class in college. 

Winnetka, Illinois is leafy green. Well-manicured lawns and towering trees flank streets with names like Pine, Spruce, Oak, Elm and Cherry. The typical Winnetka story begins with a young family moving from the concrete jungle of a big city to the Village with visions of their children running barefoot in the backyard.   

But weaving through the limbs of Winnetka’s towering oak trees runs some of the dirtiest power lines in the state. The Village’s energy portfolio means Winnetkans burn more coal every time they turn the lights on than any neighboring suburb. Its electricity emits more than double the carbon compared to towns served by ComEd.  

[Read More]

Winnetka purchases its electric power through the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA). IMEA is asking Winnetka and all of its members to sign a 20-year contract extension worth $200 million—10 years before our current contract expires. The contract extension would end in 2055. 

In 2007 Winnetka invested in a coal plant IMEA claimed would cost half of what it actually did to build. [Chicago Tribune] IMEA also claimed the plant would be “clean,” but it’s now regarded as one of the deadliest coal plants in the U.S. [Sierra Club] IMEA is requesting we lock into their supply for 30 years , and expects us to trust  a 'Net Zero Sustainability Plan' that lacks sufficient detail, transparency, or contractual guarantees.

In February, the Chicago Tribune editorial board wrote that IMEA should give its members reasonable time to figure out their energy futures. The board also said Winnetka, Naperville, and St. Charles should tell IMEA they will decide on the matter on their own timelines while being responsive to IMEA’s planning needs. Naperville and St. Charles have not signed the contract extension.

Please join us at the May 13 Village Council meeting to ask Trustees to take time and BID THE CONTRACT.