Exhibit 23






                       Consent of Independent Accountants
                       ----------------------------------


We  hereby  consent  to  the  incorporation  by  reference  in   the  Prospectus
constituting part of the Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-59674,  No.
33-45506,  No.  33-56063 and No.  333-18473) of Central  Illinois Public Service
Company of our report dated  February 4, 1999  appearing on Page 18 of this Form
10-K.




/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
March 30, 1999