Power Brokers: Residents OK Electricity Vote

After a show of support from voters, leaders will work with an energy broker to seek out cheaper electricity options for residents and small businesses.

Residents voted 65 to 35 percent in favor of electrical aggregation—a way to benefit from the deregulation of electricity supply by 'bundling' electric supply.  Aggregation could save the city as much as $2.2 million, according to energy consultant Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC). To pass, the referendum needed only 51 percent of the vote.

Some , but decided to see what the city can do for them.

"I voted Yes," wrote Oak Forest Patch Facebook fan Joan Bravo. "I'm interested to see what kind of savings this can bring to Oak Forest residents. I heard on the news today that New Lenox did this last year and the savings to each household is about $200 a year."

Reader Brian Koehler agreed.

"I voted for it as well," Koehler wrote. "I know everyone has the right the vote no but I really don't understand why anyone would vote against it? People go out of their way to complain about their bills constantly going up and now when you have a chance to save yourself money, you vote no? I just don't understand the downside. Someone please explain."

, and voters also backed the idea: all three villages passed the referendum. The

Voters who were against the referendum will have opportunities to opt out before it goes into effect.

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