Park District of Highland Park, Realgy Energy, and Love Energy & Construction Complete Second Solar Project at New West Ridge Recreation Facility
Park District of Highland Park, Realgy Energy, and Love Energy & Construction Complete Second Solar Project at New West Ridge Recreation Facility
Highland Park, IL – March 23, 2026
The Park District of Highland Park, in partnership with Realgy Energy Services and Love Energy & Construction, has completed its second solar photovoltaic (PV) installation at the new West Ridge Recreation Facility. The 99 kW-DC / 75 kW-AC solar system is expected to provide approximately one-third of the building’s annual energy needs, supporting the Park District’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Originally approved by the City of Highland Park on July 17, 2025, this project represents the Park District’s second collaboration with Realgy. The first solar installation, completed in 2021 at the Deer Creek Racquet Club, continues to provide energy and cost savings.
The solar installation at West Ridge has been completed and has received final inspection approval. ComEd is currently installing the transformer, and the permanent service meter is expected to be in place by next month, with system commissioning scheduled by the end of March 2026.
The new recreation facility at West Ridge, scheduled to open in 2026, will feature a 10,000-square-foot gymnasium, three multi-purpose enrichment rooms, a multi-use dance studio, and a large community room. The building’s inclusive design will serve as a hub for community engagement and wellness.
Under a 15-year lease agreement, Realgy will finance, install, and maintain the solar PV system at no cost to the Park District. Realgy will also supply the remainder of the building’s energy needs at rates that average 5% below ComEd, helping the Park District reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, avoid delivery fees, and secure long-term energy savings.
This project is part of Realgy’s broader initiative to provide cost-effective renewable energy solutions to public and private organizations.
For more information, please contact:
Terrence Black, Project Developer – 317-201-4435 or blackt33@yahoo.com
Molly Czako, Realgy Energy Services – 860-233-2270 x1002 or MMcGuigan@realgy.com
Rising Energy Prices in Illinois Amid the Iran War
Rising Energy Prices in Illinois Amid the Iran War
Energy prices across Illinois are climbing sharply in 2026, driven by the ongoing war involving Iran. While Illinois is far from the Middle East geographically, it is deeply connected to global energy markets—meaning international conflicts can quickly translate into higher costs for everyday consumers.
Global Conflict, Local Consequences
The current war has significantly disrupted global oil and gas supplies. Attacks on key energy infrastructure and instability in critical shipping routes—especially the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of the world’s oil—have sent shockwaves through energy markets.
Recent strikes on oil and gas facilities and escalating military actions have pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel, levels not seen since earlier global crises. This surge reflects fears of prolonged supply disruptions and reduced exports from the Middle East.
Why Illinois Is Affected
Although the United States is a major energy producer, it still participates in a global pricing system. As a result, when international oil prices rise, gasoline and heating costs increase nationwide including in Illinois.
Experts note that the war has restricted oil exports and tightened supply, leading to immediate price hikes. In northern Illinois, drivers were warned early on to expect higher gasoline prices as global markets reacted to the conflict.
Additionally, Illinois relies heavily on refined fuels transported across the country. When crude oil becomes more expensive, refining and transportation costs rise as well—further increasing prices at the pump.
Impact on Consumers
The effects are already visible:
• Gasoline prices have risen significantly, with national averages nearing $3.84 per gallon and climbing.
• Heating oil costs have surged, especially in colder regions, due to higher crude prices.
• Transportation and goods prices are increasing since fuel costs affect supply chains.
For Illinois households, this means higher commuting expenses, increased utility bills, and rising prices for everyday goods.
Government Response
In response to rising energy costs, the U.S. government has taken several emergency measures:
• Releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to increase supply
• Temporarily easing fuel regulations to reduce production costs
• Suspending shipping restrictions to improve fuel distribution
These actions aim to stabilize prices
Looking Ahead
If the conflict escalates or key supply routes remain disrupted, prices could continue to rise. Conversely, a diplomatic resolution could quickly ease global markets.
What this situation ultimately highlight is the vulnerability of local energy costs to global events. Even in a state like Illinois—far removed from the battlefield—international conflicts can have immediate and tangible economic consequences.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer serving commercial customers in the states of Illinois, and Indiana. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 11 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations. Soon to be 12 with the inclusion of Highland Park newest recreation center West Ridge Center – New Community Recreation Facility Coming in 2026 | Park District of Highland Park
February Pricing – Understand the Recent Spike in Electricity Prices
February 6, 2026
February Pricing – Understand the Recent Spike in Electricity Prices
Chart Description: Solid lines reflect current ISO market prices (PJM and MISO), while dotted lines show Realgy’s settlement costs, which lag due to settlement timing.
Realgy purchases power in the month it is incurred, while utilities reconcile wholesale costs later and pass them through over time to minimize rate shock.
Weather plays a significant role in electricity pricing. In early February, the wholesale electricity market experienced a sharp but short-lived price spike. While extreme weather was a major driver, several additional factors contributed to the increase.
What Caused the Spike?
Extreme Winter Weather
Cold temperatures across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic significantly increased electricity demand as homes and businesses relied more heavily on heating systems.
Reduced Reserve Power
Independent System Operators (ISOs) maintain reserve generation to support unexpected increases in demand. During this period, reserve power was lower than normal, limiting the system’s ability to respond to higher load.
Aging Generation Infrastructure
Older Coal Plants that were originally scheduled to retire have now been declared national security and required to remain open. These coal plants break down frequently and are costly to fix, leading to tightened supply during peak demand periods.
Seasonal Maintenance Outages
Winter is a common time for generator maintenance. With fewer generators available and higher demand, price spikes will ensue.
What’s Next?
Wholesale pricing has already started to stabilize and trend downward. Current projections indicate march pricing should return closer to January levels.
Utilities such as ComEd, Ameren, And MEC purchase power from the wholesale market and pass these costs through customers with a delay.
At Realgy Energy, we closely monitor the wholesale market and adjust pricing proactively to reflect changing conditions. Temporary price adjustments made for mid-February were a direct response to these market dynamics and were designed to protect long-term stability for our customers.
We remain committed to transparency and will continue to track market trends closely to provide competitive and reliable energy solutions.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer serving commercial customers in the states of Illinois, and Indiana. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 11 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations. Soon to be 12 with the inclusion of Highland Park newest recreation center West Ridge Center – New Community Recreation Facility Coming in 2026 | Park District of Highland Park
Additional Information:
Solar and wind are meeting — and exceeding — new power demand
Global electric demand grew last year. Probably not a surprise given the energy demands coming from AI (artificial intelligence) and data centers.
However, unless you are in the energy business or closely follow economic news, you might be surprised to learn what is supplying that growing electric power demand.
If you were listening to business news or momentum investing, startups in nuclear energy went up 200–300 percent. Fossil fuel generation declined across all geographies. In the US, utilities in high-demand regions (where data centers are being built) went up due to their monopoly on delivering power, while independent power generators went up twice as fast
As the chart above shows, power demand grew and was primarily met with wind and solar. This is not news in the energy industry.
Shows like Land Man (Netflix) promote the fossil fuel industry’s gripes against wind and solar, but the reality is they are the least-cost option for supplying electricity in almost all markets.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer serving commercial customers in the states of Illinois, and Indiana. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 11 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations. Soon to be 12 with the inclusion of Highland Park newest recreation center West Ridge Center – New Community Recreation Facility Coming in 2026 | Park District of Highland Park
Additional Information:
Chart: Solar and wind are meeting — and exceeding —… | Canary Media
