How to Pay Your Chicago Utility Bills and City Services

How Chicago bills work and where to send payment

Chicago utility bills come from two separate sources: the City of Chicago handles water, sewer, and stormwater charges, while ComEd (electricity) and Peoples Gas (natural gas) are private utilities. Each sends its own bill and accepts payment through different channels. Knowing which company you owe prevents sending a payment to the wrong place and delays your account.

The City of Chicago bills arrive by mail or email and show your account number, the amount due, and a due date—usually 30 days from the bill date. ComEd and Peoples Gas follow the same pattern. All three accept online payment, automatic bank transfer, phone payment, and mail. Some also accept payment at in-person locations, though this is less common for utilities than for other city services.

Your bill will list the payment address and online portal for each company. The City of Chicago water bill directs you to chicago.gov/water. ComEd bills point to ComEd.com. Peoples Gas bills direct you to PeoplesGas.com. Using the correct portal ensures your payment reaches the right account and posts quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Chicago water, sewer, and stormwater bills come from the City of Chicago; electricity comes from ComEd; natural gas comes from Peoples Gas—each has its own payment portal and mailing address.
• Online payment through each company's website is the fastest method and usually posts within one to two business days.
• Automatic bank transfer (ACH) through your bank or the utility's website ensures you never miss a due date and costs nothing.
• If you pay by mail, send your check or money order at least 10 business days before the due date to account for postal delays.
• Late payments trigger late fees and can result in service disconnection after 60 days of non-payment for most Chicago utilities.

Online payment through each utility's website

The fastest way to pay is through the utility's own website. For the City of Chicago water bill, go to chicago.gov/water, select "Pay Your Bill," and enter your account number and the amount. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. The payment posts within one to two business days, and you receive a confirmation number immediately.

For ComEd, visit ComEd.com, click "Pay My Bill," and log in with your account number or email. You can pay the full amount due or a partial payment. ComEd charges a small fee if you use a credit card (usually 2 to 3 percent), but there is no fee for debit card or bank account payment. For Peoples Gas, go to PeoplesGas.com, select "Pay Your Bill," and follow the same process. Peoples Gas also charges a fee for credit card payment but not for debit or bank account.

Save your confirmation number or take a screenshot after payment. If a payment does not post within two business days, contact the utility with your confirmation number to verify the transaction.

Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees

Automatic payment (also called autopay or recurring payment) deducts money from your bank account on a date you choose—usually a few days before the bill is due. This method costs nothing and eliminates the risk of forgetting to pay. All three utilities offer it through their websites.

To set up automatic payment with the City of Chicago, log into chicago.gov/water, go to "Manage My Account," and select "Autopay." Choose your bank account and the date you want the payment to come out each month. ComEd and Peoples Gas have similar steps on their websites. You can change or cancel autopay at any time, and you will receive a confirmation email when the setup is complete.

Automatic payment does not lock you into a fixed amount—if your bill changes month to month (as utility bills do), the payment adjusts automatically. If you have a budget billing plan, the payment stays the same each month. You can pause autopay temporarily if you know you will be away or need to adjust your account.

Paying by mail or check

If you prefer to pay by mail, write a check or money order and include it with the bill stub that came with your statement. The bill stub shows the payment address specific to your utility. Mail your payment at least 10 business days before the due date—the postal service can take 5 to 7 days, and the utility needs time to process it after arrival.

For the City of Chicago water bill, the mailing address is printed on your bill. For ComEd and Peoples Gas, the address is also on your bill statement. Do not mail payment to the utility's corporate office; use only the address listed on your bill. Write your account number on the check or money order so the payment is applied to the correct account.

Mail payment is slower than online or automatic methods and leaves no immediate confirmation. Keep a copy of your check or the money order receipt for your records. If you do not see the payment post within 15 business days, contact the utility with your receipt.

Paying by phone

All three utilities accept payment by phone. For the City of Chicago water bill, call 311 (the city's main line) and ask to pay your water bill. You will need your account number and a debit card or bank account. For ComEd, call 1-800-334-7661. For Peoples Gas, call 1-866-556-6001. Both utilities accept debit cards and bank accounts; credit card payment may incur a fee.

Phone payment is useful if you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone. The payment posts within one to two business days. You will receive a confirmation number by phone; write it down or ask for it to be emailed to you. Phone lines are busiest near the due date, so calling earlier in the month may mean shorter wait times.

What happens if you miss a payment deadline

If your payment does not arrive by the due date, the utility will charge a late fee. The amount varies: the City of Chicago typically adds 1.5 percent of the unpaid balance per month, while ComEd and Peoples Gas charge a percentage of the overdue amount (the exact rate is in your service agreement). Late fees compound if the bill remains unpaid, so the longer you wait, the more you owe.

After 60 days of non-payment, utilities can disconnect your service. The City of Chicago and ComEd send written notice before disconnection, usually giving you 10 to 14 days to pay or contact them about a payment plan. Peoples Gas follows the same process. Disconnection can happen without further notice if you do not respond to the warning letter.

If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact the utility immediately. Most offer payment plans that spread the debt over several months, which stops late fees and prevents disconnection. You must set up the plan before the account goes to collections. The City of Chicago, ComEd, and Peoples Gas all have hardship programs for customers with low income or temporary financial difficulty.

Payment assistance programs for Chicago residents

If you struggle to pay your utility bills, Chicago and the utilities themselves offer assistance. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program run through the City of Chicago that helps pay heating and cooling bills for households below a certain income threshold. You can learn about LIHEAP through the City of Chicago's website or by calling 311.

ComEd and Peoples Gas both have their own low-income programs. ComEd's LIHEAP and Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP+) cap your monthly bill at a percentage of your household income. Peoples Gas offers similar programs. To learn about these programs, call the utility directly or visit their website and search for "low-income assistance" or "hardship programs."

The City of Chicago also runs the Utility Assistance Program for residents facing disconnection. Call 311 to ask about current programs and whether you meet the income requirements. Assistance is not may provide, and programs sometimes run out of funding, but it is worth asking if you are behind on payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my ComEd and Peoples Gas bills together in one place?

No, each utility requires payment through its own website or account. You cannot combine them into a single bill or pay both to one company. However, you can set up automatic payment for both on the same day of the month, which simplifies tracking.

What if I pay online but the payment does not show up on my bill?

Online payments usually post within one to two business days. If more than two business days have passed, log into your account and check the payment status. If the payment shows as "pending," wait one more day. If it shows as "failed," the utility will send you a notice explaining why (usually an incorrect account number or insufficient funds). Contact the utility with your confirmation number if you cannot find the payment in your account.

Do I have to pay the full amount due, or can I pay part of my bill?

You can pay any amount, including a partial payment. However, the unpaid balance will accrue late fees if it is not paid by the due date. Partial payments are useful if you are setting up a payment plan or if you know you will have more money later in the month, but contact the utility first to confirm the plan is in place.

What is the difference between the due date and the late date?

The due date is when payment is expected. Late fees begin the day after the due date if payment has not arrived. Some utilities give a grace period of a few days, but do not count on it—pay by the due date to avoid fees. Your bill statement will show both dates.

Can I dispute a charge on my utility bill?

Yes. Contact the utility and explain the issue. For the City of Chicago, call 311. For ComEd and Peoples Gas, call the number on your bill. The utility will investigate and may adjust your bill if an error is found. Do not refuse to pay the full amount while disputing a charge—continue making payments on the undisputed portion to avoid late fees and disconnection.