Transmission project approved to deliver more reliable energy for LaSalle and Bureau Counties

State regulators approve Illinois Valley Reliability Project

Key Takeaways:

• Communities in LaSalle and Bureau Counties will benefit from improved energy reliability and be more prepared for long-term economic growth.
• The Illinois Valley Reliability Project is expected to be completed in 2029 and include a new, approximately 21-mile transmission line to connect an existing substation in Princeton, Illinois, with a new switching station near Peru, Illinois.
• Ameren will prioritize using local contractors and union workers to keep the jobs and economic benefits in the community.

PERU, Ill. (Sept. 17, 2026) - Residents of LaSalle and Bureau Counties will benefit from stronger energy reliability and infrastructure designed to support future energy needs after state regulators approved the Illinois Valley Reliability Project.

This Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) project will include construction of a new, approximately 21-mile, 138 kilovolt (kV) transmission line. The project also includes upgrades to the existing Princeton substation near Princeton, Illinois, and the construction of a new switching station located near Peru, Illinois. The switching station will provide additional flexibility to route power through the transmission system, helping improve reliability during outages or maintenance activities.

"Adding another transmission line and a switching station will help improve reliability by providing an additional path to deliver electricity during storms or other outage events," said Shawn Schukar, chairman and president of ATXI.

"The City of Princeton is excited for the completion of this project as it will enhance reliability and economic opportunities in Princeton and the surrounding area. We are pleased to be teaming up with Ameren Transmission, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, and the City of Peru to have this project become a reality," said Jeff Mangrich, superintendent of electric/telecommunications for the City of Princeton.

Additional energy capacity made available by the new transmission line can help support future economic growth by increasing the amount of electricity available to serve customers when demand increases.

"The City of Peru appreciates the efforts of Ameren Transmission to coordinate with landowners, the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, and municipal-owned utilities to pursue this long-desired upgrade to harden the regions electric transmission infrastructure. Peru already has plans in motion to upgrade its own infrastructure to immediately utilize the reliability benefits of this project. Once interconnected, the project will allow the City to continue providing reliable, competitively priced power to its residents and robust industry, and the additional capacity made available will unlock economic development opportunities previously not possible," said Kevin Minnick, electric operations manager for the City of Peru.

The transmission line will run mostly east-to-west. Starting northeast of Princeton, Illinois, it will run parallel to Interstate 80 before diverging from the highway and continuing north of Ladd, Illinois, and approaching Peru from the north.

"The Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) is pleased that the ICC has approved the Illinois Valley Reliability Project transmission line. This new project will help strengthen electric reliability while also bringing value to our member cities of Peru and Princeton, increasing the opportunity for future economic growth in their communities," said Doug Brown, president and CEO of IMEA.

The project team reviewed public feedback gathered over three rounds of in-person and virtual open houses in August, September and November 2025. All public comments were reviewed and considered while developing the Primary and Alternate Routes that were ultimately filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).

"We appreciate everyone who shared their perspectives with us and attended an open house," said Keith Jones, project manager for Ameren. "Community feedback helped inform our evaluation of potential routes before filing with the ICC."

ATXI plans to use local contractors and union workers to keep the economic benefits and jobs within the nearby community while building the project.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2027, and the project is expected to be complete by the end of 2029. Additional information is available online at Ameren.com/IllinoisValley, by calling the project hotline at 833.478.7733 or by emailing the project team at [email protected].

About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 67,700-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.