http://www.citizensutilityboard.org The Citizens Utility Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing the interests of residential utility customers in Illinois. en-us Copyright 2008, Citizens Utility Board dmroczkowski@citizensutilityboard.org dmroczkowski@citizensutilityboard.org Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0500 5 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/images/CUB_REV_J05.gif http://www.citizensutilityboard.org 104 104 The latest news from the Citizens Utility Board a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing the interests of residential utility customers in Illinois. http://twitter.com/cubillinois CHICAGO, August 20, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board will not be posting all of its latest news items at twitter.com/cubillinois. Please make the change to your RSS Feed. Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://twitter.com/cubillinois http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090728_Princeton.html CHICAGO, July 28, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) “Right Call Campaign” is coming to Princeton to help consumers beat the bad economy by showing them how to cut their calling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:32:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090728_Princeton.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090728_RiverGrove.html CHICAGO, July 28, 2009—In honor of its 25 years fighting for consumers, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is bringing its “Right Call Campaign” to River Grove to give consumers tips on how to cut their phone bills by hundreds of dollars a year. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:21:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090728_RiverGrove.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090715_OrlandPark.html July 15, 2009—Fighting more than $1 billion in utility rate hikes, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will visit the Orland Square Mall to pass out 3,000 money-saving Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) to help consumers keep a lid on their electric bills. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:20:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090715_OrlandPark.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090701_NorthChicago.html July 15, 2009—Just last week, CUB showed more than 50 consumers how they could cut their phone bills by nearly $250 a year in Crete and Chicago Heights. Tonight, CUB's experts head to North Chicago for another round of savings. Can't make it to the clinic? Visit CUB's Phone Savings Center for our five best bill-trimming tips or call CUB's Phone Savings Hotline, 1-866-688-4282, for a free bill analysis. And if we help you save, share some of your savings with CUB. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:38:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090701_NorthChicago.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090713_LoganSquare.html July 13, 2009—Fighting more than $1 billion in utility rate hikes, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will visit the Logan Square Farmer’s Market to pass out money-saving Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) and alert consumers about the latest energy-efficiency tips and incentives to help keep a lid on their utility bills. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090713_LoganSquare.html https://p2.secure.hostingprod.com/@citizensutilityboard.org/ssl/CostCutter.php July 13, 2009—CUB delivered a double dose of phone savings Friday at clinics in Crete and Chicago Heights, showing 52 consumers how to cut their bills by an average of $246 a year. CUB's next clinic is Wednesday in North Chicago. Attend an upcoming CUB clinic or try the tool that's helped Illinois consumers save $6.5 million a year. If you save, share some of your savings with CUB. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:24:00 -0500 https://p2.secure.hostingprod.com/@citizensutilityboard.org/ssl/CostCutter.php http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/index.html July 10, 2009—Gov. Pat Quinn today signed SB 1918 into law. Described in CUB's recent legislative roundup, the measure contains Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) reforms and could help the Land of Lincoln become a national energy-efficiency leader, allowing consumers to buy money-saving appliances and pay them off on their utility bills. "That's what this bill does," Quinn said. "It takes care of people....We have to have a green way of thinking, a green way of acting. We have to be more energy efficient." Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:24:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubServices_eventcalendar.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubServices_eventcalendar.html July 10, 2009—CUB's celebrating its 25th anniversay with money-saving events across Illinois. Today, we cut phone bills in Crete and Chicago Heights. On Tuesday, we're in Rockford alerting consumers about energy-efficiency financial incentives of up to $1,500. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:50:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubServices_eventcalendar.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090629_CreteChicagoHeights.html July 9, 2009—CUB's Local Phone Cost-cutter has now shown people how to save a total of $6.5 million on their local bills. When it comes to cutting phone, gas, and electric bills, we get results! Visit CUB's Phone Savings Center or come to a phone clinic. We're in Crete and Chicago Heights tomorrow. Thu, 9 Jul 2009 10:30:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090629_CreteChicagoHeights.html http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/comment/ July 7, 2009—Illinois utilities are on a $1 billion rate-hike binge, and people say "enough is enough." The Peoria Journal Star and the Belleville News-Democrat say it's the wrong time for higher rates. The Champaign News-Gazette reports that legislators are circulating petititons against increases. Tell the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) NO to these rate hikes and contribute to CUB's rate-hike defense fund. Tue, 7 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0500 http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/comment/ http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090629_CreteChicagoHeights.html July 6, 2009—CUB is on pace to smash last year's record of 58 phone-bill clinics. We've already held more than 40 clinics so far in 2009, saving consumers an average of more than $200 a year. We'll add two more clinics to that tally this Friday, with money-saving events in Crete and Chicago Heights. Don't let an overweight phone package chew up your pocketbook. Get CUB's phone-savings tips and cut your bill today. Mon, 6 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090629_CreteChicagoHeights.html http://twitter.com/cubillinois June 26, 2009— Twitter, the popular online social-networking service, has been used by U.S. presidential candidates and protestors in Iran. "Suddenly, it seems as though all the world's a-twitter," Newsweek reported. Now CUB has its own Twitter page. Follow us @cubillinois. It’s free! We’ll give you easy-to-digest snippets of information—“tweets”— about how CUB is saving you money, and how we're fighting more than $1 billion in rate hikes. Hope to see you @cubillinois! Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:50:00 -0500 http://twitter.com/cubillinois http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/business/1631348,pioneer-press-fixer-062509.article June 25, 2009— CUB got a great plug from "The Fixer," a Chicago Sun-times columnist. "If you've got a gripe with an electric, gas or phone company — or if you just want some good advice on how to get your bills down — we encourage you to check out the Citizens Utility Board," she wrote. "CUB has tons of great info at its website." Call us at 1-800-669-5556, and help CUB continue to offer all these money-saving services for free. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:10:00 -0500 http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/business/1631348,pioneer-press-fixer-062509.article http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1638933,2_1_AU25_PHONEBILLS_S1-090625.article June 25, 2009—At CUB's Aurora phone-bill clinic, we showed consumers how to save an average of $213 a year. Outstanding! Today's headline in the Aurora Beacon News was: "Hung up over phone bill? Consumers can call CUB for help." If you're sick and tired of your phone bill, pick it up and call CUB, at 1-866-688-4282. There's a good chance we can help you save money. Also, look at our calendar of money-saving CUB seminars. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:10:00 -0500 http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1638933,2_1_AU25_PHONEBILLS_S1-090625.article http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubServices_eventcalendar.html June 24, 2009—Start your summer with savings at two CUB events today. First, we'll show consumers how to cut their phone bills by hundreds of dollars a year at a free clinic in Aurora. Then, CUB kicks off its Summer Energy Series tonight in Wheaton, where we'll show consumers how to beat the summer heat without emptying their pocketbooks. Don't miss out on a chance to save at a CUB event near you. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:10:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubServices_eventcalendar.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090611_Wheaton.html June 23, 2009—Just because the temperature is rising doesn't mean your utility bills should too. Tomorrow, CUB will show consumers how to cut costs at two money-saving events. First, we'll slash consumers' phone bills by hundreds of dollars a year at a free clinic in Aurora. Then, CUB will kick off its Summer Energy Series in Wheaton, showing consumers how they can save big bucks even when the weather is hot. Don't miss out on a chance to save at a CUB event near you. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:30:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090611_Wheaton.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/GasMarketMonitor.php June 22, 2009—An unregulated natural gas company that has gotten into some hot water with CUB and the Illinois Attorney General's office has changed its name. U.S. Energy Savings is now Just Energy. CUB has accused the former U.S. Energy of misleading marketing as the company peddles its offers from door to door. Check out CUB's Gas Market Monitor, which shows that the company's offers largely have been money losers, to date. See what Just Energy is offering now to consumers in Nicor Gas and Peoples/North Shore Gas territories. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:30:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/GasMarketMonitor.php http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubServices_eventcalendar.html June 18, 2009—We showed consumers how to save hundreds of dollars a year at CUB phone-bill clinics this week. One senior gentleman was so happy to learn he could save more than $1,500 a year that he proposed to a CUB staffer on the spot! (She politely said no.) Next week, we're holding six CUB events to help you save money, including four phone clinics, a seminar on cutting your energy bills and a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb giveaway at a mall. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:50:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubServices_eventcalendar.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090604_Steger.html June 18, 2009—One senior gentleman at Tuesday's Libertyville clinic was so happy to learn he could save more than $1,500 a year that he proposed to a phone-bill analyst on the spot. She politely said no to the proposal, but yes to cutting more phone bills. You can say yes to phone savings! CUB travels to Steger tonight for its third phone clinic this week. June is jam-packed with more money-saving CUB events. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:50:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090604_Steger.html http://cerf.convio.net/donate June 17, 2009—As consumers battle a bad economy, CUB is battling more than $1 billion in rate-hike cases. We've helped save you $10 billion over CUB's 25 years, and we're not about to stop fighting now. Join us! Tell the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) NO to these rate hikes and contribute to CUB's rate-hike defense fund. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:30:00 -0500 http://cerf.convio.net/donate http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090608_Wauconda.html June 11, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board's (CUB) Right Call Campaign is coming to Wauconda to help consumers beat the bad economy by showing them how to cut their calling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090608_Wauconda.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090611_PGRateHike.html June 11, 2009—CUB and the Illinois Attorney General's office have just filed testimony recommending that a $184 million rate hike proposed by Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas be cut by at least 70 percent. A news release is being prepared now. Here's how you can help us: Tell the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) NO to this unjustified rate hike by filing a public comment on the case and contribute to CUB's rate-hike defense fund. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:41:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090611_PGRateHike.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubphonesaver_1.html June 11, 2009— A happy Carbondale consumer had one thing to say after CUB showed her how to trim her phone bill by more than $20 a month: "That's perfect!" Check out WSIL-TV's coverage of CUB's phone-bill clinic, where the average attendee saved $15.65 a month, or nearly $188 a year. Attend an upcoming CUB clinic or visit CUB's Phone Savings Center to cut your bill. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:30:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubphonesaver_1.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/ciNaturalGas_USEnergySettlement.html June 10, 2009—If you are a current or former customer of U.S. Energy Savings Corp. (now known as Just Energy), you may be eligible to be part of a $1 million settlement negotiated by the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Just Energy is now mailing claim forms to eligible customers. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:40:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/ciNaturalGas_USEnergySettlement.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090605_AmerenRateHike.html June 5, 2009—“Ameren’s $226 million rate-hike proposal is a slap in the face to consumers who already are struggling to pay monthly bills during the economic downturn. The ink is barely dry on Ameren’s $160 million rate hike, approved just last year, and the company is back at the table, asking state regulators for a new $226 million increase. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Just this past Monday, Ameren customers got the good news that the rates they pay for the actual electricity they use went down. Now, they hear that Ameren has proposed a $226 million ‘delivery’ rate hike that threatens those gains. CUB will fight Ameren’s new $226 million proposed rate hike to protect the June 1 rate cut. Our legal and policy teams will study every number of Ameren’s proposal and fight every penny that isn’t justified.” Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:12:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090605_AmerenRateHike.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/index.html June 5, 2009—Ameren today announced that it will push for a $226 million natural gas and electric "delivery" rate hike. CUB will release a statement shortly. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:11:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/index.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090604_Steger.html June 4, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) Right Call Campaign is coming to Steger to help consumers tackle a tough economy by showing them how to cut their calling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090604_Steger.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090604_Hollowayville.html June 4, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) presented the Town of Hollowayville with its “Bright Future” award, delivering 200 money-saving Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs to the town to honor its pledge to become more energy efficient. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:00:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090604_Hollowayville.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090602_Libertyville.html June 2, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) “Right Call Campaign” is coming to Libertyville to help consumers tackle the tough economy by showing them how to cut their calling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090602_Libertyville.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090601_AmerenRights.html June 1, 2009—Ameren customers could be eligible for compensation if they suffer long power outages, under a new state law that took effect on the same day that electric rates went down, State Rep. John Bradley and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Monday. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090601_AmerenRights.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090529_Carbondale.html May 29, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) “Right Call Campaign” is coming to Carbondale to help consumers beat the bad economy by showing them how to cut their calling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090529_Carbondale.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090520_GoldenTrumpet.html May 20, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has won a prestigious Golden Trumpet Award for its website and a Silver Trumpet Award for its 2008 phone-savings campaign that showed consumers how to cut their calling costs by a combined average of $500 a year. Wed, 20 May 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090520_GoldenTrumpet.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090514_Huntley.html May 14, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board's (CUB) "Right Call Campaign" is coming to Huntley to help consumers beat the bad economy by showing them how to cut their calling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Thu, 14 May 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090514_Huntley.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubphonesaver_1.html May 14, 2009—CUB and CBS 2 investigator Pam Zekman are spreading the word about a phone scam called "cramming." That's where charges are added to your phone bill without your authorization. "Cramming is a scam that basically relies on people not reading their bills closely. And we've seen a huge uptake in complaints related to it," CUB Executive Director David Kolata tells Zekman. You can block mysterious, unauthorized third-party charges from your bill for free. Just ask your phone company (ATT: 1-800-288-2020, Verizon: 1-800-483-3000). For other money-saving tips, go to CUB's Phone Savings Center. Thu, 14 May 2009 09:30:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cubphonesaver_1.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/niep_20090512_NIEPRelease.html May 12, 2009—NIEP, along with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and Edison Mission Group, have launched a new "green building" pilot project to cut energy costs and reduce pollution. The program equips residential high-rise buildings with technology to control air conditioning usage during peak electricity demand. Tue, 12 May 2009 16:30:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/niep_20090512_NIEPRelease.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090511_MortonGrove.html May 11, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board's (CUB) "Right Call Campaign" is coming to Morton Grove to help consumers beat the bad economy by showing them how to cut their calling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Mon, 11 May 2009 16:30:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090511_MortonGrove.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090511_700MoneySavingBulbs.html May 11, 2009—The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will show consumers how they can slash soaring utility bills by making their homes more energy efficient at the Will County Earth Day Fest. Mon, 11 May 2009 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090511_700MoneySavingBulbs.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090508_Ameren.html May 8, 2009—Ameren has just announced that its electric rates are dropping by about 8 percent on June 1. CUB estimates that the average residential customer will save more than $100 a year, on average. Read the Ameren news release and CUB's statement on the development. This is encouraging news, but CUB Executive Director David Kolata says there's more work to be done to protect Illinois consumers from unfair power rates. Fri, 8 May 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090508_Ameren.html http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090501_ComEd.html May 4, 2009—ComEd electric rates will drop by about 7.5 percent in June, saving the average residential customer about $6.36 a month. CUB Executive Director David Kolata calls it "very good news" after consumer advocates helped to overturn ComEd's old power pricing system that sparked skyrocketing bills. Kolata adds that more work needs to be done to make energy-efficiency and conservation programs an "integral part" of Illinois' new power-pricing system to further protect families from unfair electric rates. Mon, 4 May 2009 11:00:00 -0500 http://citizensutilityboard.org/newsReleases20090501_ComEd.html http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/news20090121_25th.html#best25 May 1, 2009—CUB has made a lot of memories over the last 25 years. Whether it was fighting for and winning a $1 billion electric refund for Ameren and ComEd customers, helping a bookstore shave more than $13,000 off its annual phone bill, or shaking hands with a future president, CUB has been there, fighting for Illinois consumers. In honor of our 25th anniversary, we've put together a list of the best 25 things about CUB's 25 years. With your help, CUB will continue adding to the list for another 25 years and beyond. Fri, 1 May 2009 11:00:00 -0500 http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/news20090121_25th.html#best25