Giving Ameren customers the option of phasing in their upcoming rate increase is not the ideal solution to the impending jump in rates.

But there is no ideal solution.

At least the option approved last week by the Illinois Commerce Commission will give people who can't immediately absorb increases of up to 55 percent a way to avoid the risk of falling behind in payments and having their power turned off.

David Kolata, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, said the plan "isn't a good deal for consumers."

But customers should decide that for themselves.

Consumers should not accept the option lightly.

In the long run, the customers who select the phase-in plan will pay more than those who take the big hit up front.

Ameren's phased-in customers will have to pay interest rates of 3.25 percent.

At least customers will have a better idea of where they stand while the Legislature continues to mull over other solutions.

The Legislature won't even be back in session until Jan. 7, nearly a week after new rates take effect statewide.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan have vowed to keep fighting for an extension of the rate freeze that has been in effect for 10 years. But Senate President Emil Jones appears equally adamant that the rate hikes will proceed.

Blagojevich, Madigan and other rate-hike opponents were unable to accomplish anything during the fall veto session.

The whole matter should have been addressed long before that and long before utility companies signed contracts to purchase power at prices determined through a so-called "reverse" auction.

If the governor and Legislature are able to come up with an alternative that would hold down electric rates for consumers without hurting the reliability of electricity, that would be great.

In the meantime, at least consumers know there is another alternative available if they would rather absorb the impact gradually, despite the interest charges.

Having the option of phasing in the higher rates is better than nothing. And nothing is all the Legislature and governor have provided thus far.