CHICAGO — Utility customers throughout Illinois will likely see an increase in the price they pay for natural gas each month.

Capitol News Illinois reports administrative judges at the Illinois Commerce Commission have recommended the agency grant gas rate increases to Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. Together these utilities serve 4.1 million gas customers.

The increases await approval – or modification – by the full five-member panel of commissioners at the I-C-C. They are expected to issue a final ruling on the gas rate increases before the end of the year.

Advocates say they will protest the recommendations at an I-C-C meeting this Thursday in Chicago. The new gas rates will go into effect in January.