SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - State lawmakers are hearing all about how the electric rate increases are putting a pinch on their constituents.

Tomorrow they'll try to learn more about what to do about it.

The House is meeting in a rare joint session tomorrow afternoon to discuss the electric rate increases and their impact.

The hearing is expected to last several hours and feature testimony from the utility companies, consumer advocates, several mayors and others.

State Representative George Scully pushed for the hearing to find out more about why the increases have been so large, especially for some downstate consumers.

He says the unusual joint session shows lawmakers' sensitivity to the magnitude of the problem and he's confident they will act to provide relief for consumers this spring.

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We had told you before the rate hike took effect Jan. 1 that Ameren estimated customers could see an increase in their monthly bills averaging out to about $30 dollars more a month.

Instead, some customers have contacted us to complain that their January bills more than doubled.

We asked representative Jil Tracy her thoughts on Tuesday's meeting in Springfield.

"I'm optimistic that as bad as things have gotten and let this transpire--people are suffering, businesses are suffering, local government, not-for-profits are suffering--I've heard the Comed situation isn't as bad. I've also heard there may be some competition coming in. We can't wait for that," said Tracy.

Tracy says there is a bill that has been introduced that would offer a three-year rate freeze and possible refunds.

But even if that bill passes in the House tomorrow, it still has to pass the state Senate and be signed by the governor before it'll be effective.