SPRINGFIELD – They made campaign promises, drafted bills and even voted on legislation. But in the end, state lawmakers left the Capitol without giving consumers relief from a fast-approaching jump in electric rates.

State lawmakers wrapped up their fall veto session Thursday without blocking or even slowing the rate increase, which will leave some consumers paying up to 55 percent more as of Jan. 1.

The Illinois Senate voted 40-16 Thursday for a Democrat-backed plan to phase in the higher prices over three years, so consumers wouldn’t have to pay all the increase at once.

That plan heads to the House, which adjourned Thursday without considering the measure. House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, favors simply freezing rates at their current levels, although he was unable to pass a freeze earlier this week.

Lawmakers say they’re not sure what the next step, if any, will be.

“Hopefully, we can come up with something better,” said Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. “What happens now, I don’t know.”

For now, the Legislature’s departure ends debate on what has become an intensely political issue.

Legislators installed a 10-year rate freeze in 1997 as part of a plan to encourage competition that would give consumers low-cost energy options. But the competition never developed. Instead, utilities Ameren and ComEd dominate the residential market.

The freeze ends Jan. 1. Utilities will have to pay significantly more to buy electricity and will be allowed to pass along that cost to their customers. ComEd customers will see their bills increase by about 22 percent, or $13 a month. Ameren customers will see a range of increases, topping out at 55 percent, or around $30.

The issue played a big role in this fall’s elections.

The increases were approved by Illinois Commerce Commission members appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, so he took flak from his opponent.