Measures to allow local governments to negotiate for lower power rates on behalf of their citizens passed in most of the roughly 300 Illinois towns.

Now the Citizens Utility Board expects those cities will move quickly to try to cut cheaper deals that improve on Ameren and Commonwealth Edison rates. By next summer, the utilities are expected to be able to offer cheaper rates of their own as higher-cost contracts expire.

After that, the board says, consumers will see the real test of whether municipal utility aggregation can work for them. The measures passed in Tuesday's primary election.

Champaign voters passed their local measure. City Public Works director Dennis Schmidt says he expects to have bids for the City Council to consider by mid-May.