ComEd Restores Power to Majority of Customers After Back-to-Back Weekend Storms in Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois endured a difficult weekend as two rounds of severe storms, each packing winds of up to 70 miles per hour, swept through the region on Saturday and Sunday. The storms, which brought heavy rainfall, downed trees, and damaged electrical infrastructure, left hundreds of thousands of customers without electricity. In response, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), the state’s largest electric utility, immediately mobilized crews to restore service and has since been able to bring power back to more than 80 percent of those affected.
As of 10 a.m. Sunday morning, approximately 40,000 ComEd customers remained without service, primarily in some of the hardest-hit areas, including Crystal Lake, DeKalb, Joliet, Mount Prospect, Rockford, and Skokie. These communities experienced widespread outages due to fallen trees, broken utility poles, and damaged lines. Crews are continuing to assess the extent of the damage while making urgent repairs to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
Massive Mobilization of Crews
More than 500 ComEd crews have been working across northern Illinois since the storms began. Recognizing the scale of the damage, ComEd announced that an additional 33 crews would be joining the effort on Sunday afternoon. All crews are working on a round-the-clock basis, often in challenging weather and environmental conditions, to ensure that service is restored.
ComEd officials estimate that nearly all remaining customers will have power restored by 2 p.m. on Monday, barring any unforeseen complications. The utility emphasized that this timeline is consistent with restoration efforts from other storms of similar magnitude in the past.
“Safely restoring power to all our customers impacted by this weekend’s storms remains our number one priority, and our dedicated crews are working around the clock to bring all affected customers back,” said David Perez, executive vice president and chief operating officer of ComEd. “We recognize that losing power at any time can be frustrating, and we appreciate our customers’ patience as we continue to assess damage throughout the region and restore power.”
Prioritizing Critical Facilities
ComEd follows a structured and strategic restoration process whenever widespread outages occur. The company’s first priority is restoring power to essential facilities such as police stations, fire departments, hospitals, nursing homes, and other critical infrastructure. These facilities play a vital role in maintaining community safety and health, and restoring their electricity quickly helps minimize the secondary impacts of storms.
After essential facilities are restored, crews focus on repairs that will bring power back to the largest number of customers in the shortest amount of time. This ensures that the most people possible regain electricity quickly. Finally, crews turn their attention to localized or individual outages, including smaller neighborhoods and single homes.
Climate Change and Grid Resilience
The storms this weekend are part of a growing pattern of severe weather that has increasingly impacted the Midwest. Scientists and energy experts note that climate change is contributing to more frequent and more intense storms, creating greater challenges for utilities like ComEd.
In anticipation of these challenges, ComEd has made substantial investments in strengthening and modernizing its power grid. Since 2011, the company has undertaken smart grid upgrades, installing advanced technologies that make the grid more resilient and responsive. These improvements include automated switches that can isolate outages and reroute power, reducing the number of customers affected when damage occurs.
The results of these investments have been significant. ComEd reports that since the smart grid initiative began, more than 24.7 million customer outages have been avoided, and overall grid reliability has improved by more than 57 percent. These advances mean fewer customers lose power during storms, and when outages do occur, restoration is faster and more efficient.
The company has also invested in proactive measures such as tree trimming and vegetation management. Since downed trees and branches are a leading cause of storm-related outages, regular trimming around power lines helps reduce the risk of damage during high winds.
ComEd’s reliability efforts have been recognized nationally. In 2024, the company was named the most reliable utility in the Midwest, a testament to its ongoing investment in infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
Customer Safety and Awareness
While ComEd continues to restore service, it is also reminding customers of important safety precautions during outages. The company emphasized that public safety is paramount, and customers should always treat downed power lines as extremely dangerous.
If a downed power line is spotted, ComEd advises customers to immediately call 800-EDISON1 (800-334-7661). For Spanish-speaking customers, the dedicated hotline is 800-95-LUCES (800-955-8237). Customers are urged never to approach or attempt to move a downed line, as it should always be assumed to be energized and life-threatening.
Additionally, the utility has asked residents not to approach or distract crews working on restoration. These workers often handle live electrical equipment, and the work zones may contain hidden hazards. Interference could not only endanger the crews but also delay the restoration process.
ComEd has also encouraged residents to prepare for outages by keeping emergency supplies on hand, such as flashlights, extra batteries, bottled water, and nonperishable food. Those who rely on electrically powered medical equipment are urged to have backup plans in place, such as portable generators or relocation to facilities with reliable power.
The Human Impact of Outages
Power outages can disrupt daily life in many ways. Residents in northern Illinois reported challenges ranging from spoiled food due to lack of refrigeration to difficulties charging phones and staying informed about weather updates. Businesses also face hardships, with restaurants, retail stores, and manufacturing facilities losing revenue during periods without electricity.
Despite these difficulties, many residents have expressed appreciation for the speed and dedication of ComEd’s crews. Social media platforms were filled with posts from customers thanking workers for braving difficult conditions to restore service.
