Capital Credits - It's the Cooperative Difference!

We are a cooperative, and as such, we are structured to make every member an owner of this business. Unlike other electric utilities, we do not exist to make a profit. Any revenues over and above the cost of doing business are considered “margins.”

Every member who purchases electricity during a year in which margins are earned is allocated capital credits. The amount of credits earned is based upon the amount of capital contributed to the co-op through payment of the monthly bill. The more electric service bought, the more capital credits earned.

The sum of a member’s bills for the year is multiplied by an allocation factor to determine earned capital credits. The allocation factor varies yearly, depending on the success of the co-op. Since credits are a member’s share of the margins, no credits are allocated for a year without margins.

Margins earned represent an interest-free source of operating capital by you and the rest of the membership to the co-op. This capital allows us to finance operations and new construction, with the intent that this capital be repaid in later years, as the Board of Directors authorizes its retirement.

Capital credits of a deceased member may be paid at a reduced present value without waiting for a general retirement. Members may assign Beneficiaries for capital credits in the event of their death. Download the Beneficiary Form.  Members who move off cooperative lines should call the office with a current address for future credits to be returned.

2025 Capital Credit Retirement: Capital Credits allocated in 2004 & a portion of 2005 were retired in November 2025. Active members with returns under $75 were applied as a bill credit on December 2025 statements; Inactive members (no longer have electric service) and Active members with returns over $75 were mailed a check late November 2025. Checks are mailed to the last known address on file. If you receive a check to your address that is not yours please mark it return-to-sender. If you need to update your address with us email info@menard.com or call us at 217-632-7746. 

Unclaimed Capital Credits

Sometimes capital credit checks are returned to us because inactive members forget to notify us when they move, or family doesn't contact us if a member dies. We do our best to find new addresses or next of kin. You can help us by reviewing the listing of members owed capital credits and asking the member, or executor of his/her estate, to contact our office.

2024 Uncashed Capital Credits (Checks mailed in 2024 that were uncashed) 

2018 - 2024 Capital Credits (Capital Credits returned 2018-2024 are due these members)