<PAGE>
                                                     Exhibit (24)-2
                                                     Commonwealth Edison Company
                                                     Form 10-K File No. 1-1839


                                   POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                   -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director of Commonwealth Edison Company, an
Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J. O'CONNOR, LEO
F. MULLIN, SAMUEL K. SKINNER and DAVID A. SCHOLZ, and each of them, her true and
lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
as such Director, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.



                                                      Jean Allard
                                                 --------------------


STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that JEAN ALLARD, personally known to me to be the
same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared
before me this day in person, and acknowledged that she signed and delivered
said instrument as her free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein
set forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.

                                               Mary L. Kwilos
                                             ------------------
                                                Notary Public
                                             (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director of Commonwealth Edison Company, an
Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J. O'CONNOR, LEO
F. MULLIN, SAMUEL K. SKINNER and DAVID A. SCHOLZ, and each of them, his true and
lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
as such Director, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.



                                                 Edward A. Brennan
                                              -----------------------


STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that EDWARD A. BRENNAN, personally known to me to
be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument,
appeared before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he signed and
delivered said instrument as his free and voluntary act, for the uses and
purposes therein set forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.


                                                  Mary L. Kwilos
                                              ---------------------
                                                  Notary Public
                                              (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director of Commonwealth Edison Company, an
Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J. O'CONNOR, LEO
F. MULLIN, SAMUEL K. SKINNER and DAVID A. SCHOLZ, and each of them, his true and
lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
as such Director, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.



                                                   James W. Compton
                                               -----------------------

STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that JAMES W. COMPTON, personally known to me to be
the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared
before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he signed and delivered said
instrument as his free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set
forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.

                                                 Mary L. Kwilos
                                              --------------------
                                                 Notary Public
                                              (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director of Commonwealth Edison Company, an
Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J. O'CONNOR, LEO
F. MULLIN, SAMUEL K. SKINNER and DAVID A. SCHOLZ, and each of them, his true and
lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
as such Director, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.



                                                      Bruce DeMars
                                                 ---------------------


STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that BRUCE DEMARS, personally known to me to be the
same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared
before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he signed and delivered said
instrument as his free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set
forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.


                                                 Mary L. Kwilos
                                              --------------------
                                                 Notary Public
                                              (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director of Commonwealth Edison Company, an
Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J. O'CONNOR, LEO
F. MULLIN, SAMUEL K. SKINNER and DAVID A. SCHOLZ, and each of them, her true and
lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
as such Director, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.



                                                    Sue L. Gin
                                                ------------------


STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that SUE L. GIN, personally known to me to be the
same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared
before me this day in person, and acknowledged that she signed and delivered
said instrument as her free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein
set forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.

                                              Mary L. Kwilos
                                            ------------------          
                                              Notary Public
                                           (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director of Commonwealth Edison Company, an
Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J. O'CONNOR, LEO
F. MULLIN, SAMUEL K. SKINNER and DAVID A. SCHOLZ, and each of them, his true and
lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
as such Director, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.



                                                   Donald P. Jacobs
                                               -----------------------


STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that DONALD P. JACOBS, personally known to me to be
the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared
before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he signed and delivered said
instrument as his free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set
forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.


 
                                                 Mary L. Kwilos
                                              --------------------
                                                 Notary Public
                                              (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director of Commonwealth Edison Company, an
Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J. O'CONNOR, LEO
F. MULLIN, SAMUEL K. SKINNER and DAVID A. SCHOLZ, and each of them, his true and
lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
as such Director, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.



                                                 George E. Johnson
                                              -----------------------


STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that GEORGE E. JOHNSON, personally known to me to
be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument,
appeared before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he signed and
delivered said instrument as his free and voluntary act, for the uses and
purposes therein set forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.


                                                 Mary L. Kwilos
                                              --------------------
                                                 Notary Public
                                              (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                                   POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                   -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director of Commonwealth Edison Company, an
Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J. O'CONNOR, LEO
F. MULLIN, SAMUEL K. SKINNER and DAVID A. SCHOLZ, and each of them, his true and
lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
as such Director, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of 
March, 1997.



                                                   Edward A. Mason
                                              -------------------------

STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that EDWARD A. MASON, personally known to me to be
the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared
before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he signed and delivered said
instrument as his free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set
forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.

                                                 Mary L. Kwilos
                                             ----------------------

                                                 Notary Public

                                              (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                                   POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                   -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director and Officer of Commonwealth Edison
Company, an Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J.
O'CONNOR and DAVID A. SCHOLZ and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys and
agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and without the others)
to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such Director and
Officer, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.


                                                       Leo F. Mullin
                                                 -------------------------

STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that LEO F. MULLIN, personally known to me to be
the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared
before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he signed and delivered said
instrument as his free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set
forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.

                                                Mary L. Kwilos
                                             --------------------

                                                Notary Public

                                             (Notary Public Seal)
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned, a Director and Officer of Commonwealth Edison
Company, an Illinois corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint JAMES J.
O'CONNOR and DAVID A. SCHOLZ and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys and
agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and without the others)
to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as such Director and
Officer, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; hereby granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full
power of substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, may do or cause
to be done by virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March,
1997.


                                                Samuel K. Skinner
                                           ------------------------

STATE OF ILLINOIS )
                  ) SS
COUNTY OF COOK    )

         I, Mary L. Kwilos, a Notary Public in and for said County, in the State
aforesaid, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that SAMUEL K. SKINNER, personally known to me to
be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument,
appeared before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he signed and
delivered said instrument as his free and voluntary act, for the uses and
purposes therein set forth.

         GIVEN under my hand and notarial seal this 12th day of March, 1997.


                                                Mary L. Kwilos
                                            ---------------------
                                                Notary Public

                                             (Notary Public Seal)