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ComEd sets up relief fund, as customers deal with summer price spike

In the wake of a 45 percent spike in its electricity price, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) has set up a $10 million relief program, funded by its parent company, for certain income-qualified customers. As of July 7, eligible ComEd customers can now sign up.  In a consumer alert, CUB explained the…...

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Breaking: CUB statement on final passage of budget bill

A statement from Jim Chilsen, Director of Communications, Citizens Utility Board (CUB): The budget reconciliation bill that passed today represents higher power bills for consumers in Illinois and across the country. Tax credits that help everyday people use solar power or energy efficiency to cut costs at home are wildly…...

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CUB statement on Senate passage of budget bill

The following is CUB’s Communications Director Jim Chilsen’s statement on the passage of H.R. 1 the Senate budget reconciliation bill. “The budget bill that passed the U.S. Senate represents higher power bills for consumers across the country. Tax credits that help everyday people use solar power or energy efficiency to…...

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CUB Q&A: Feds want to hit us with higher electric bills to prop up expensive, out-of-state power plants

This summer, electricity prices are skyrocketing. Starting June 1, consumers started to feel the heat of poor decision-making at our regional grid operators, PJM and MISO. Unfortunately, there is more bad news: the federal Department of Energy is ordering two expensive, out-of-state power plants on the verge of retirement to…...

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Statement: CUB Joins Other Consumer Advocates in Challenging Federally Mandated Rate Hike to Keep ‘Zombie Power Plant’ Open

The following is a statement by Clara Summers, manager of the Citizens Utility Board’s Consumers for a Better Grid campaign, on a federal order to keep the Eddystone Generating Station, a power plant in Pennsylvania, open. The move could needlessly cost customers across the country, including Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) customers…...

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Renting your first apartment in Chicago? Here’s how to read your utility bills

By: Citlali Dominguez So you just moved into your new apartment, and you’re having trouble reading your utility bills. Don’t panic, CUB is here to help!  We’ll start with electricity! A simple way to understand your bill is, supply + delivery + taxes & fees = amount due. Supply, what…...

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CUB’s report on gas-market volatility: July

Gas prices for eight of Illinois’ 9 major utilities remained elevated compared with a year ago, led by Nicor Gas, with a supply price that is about 50 percent higher; Liberty Utilities, with a price about 45 percent higher; and Peoples Gas, with a price about 38 percent higher. Only…...

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CUB’s money-saving events in July

CUB’s Outreach team travels across Illinois to staff free events giving consumers energy efficiency tips for their home, educating them on how clean energy can cut their utility bills and helping people protect themselves from scams and rip-offs.  As we face another hot summer, CUB can help you learn how…...

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Tips for fighting high summer electric bills, and staying safe and cool

Check out our tips to stay cool, safe and energy efficient during the hot summer: Be safe. Efficiency means staying safe and cool while reducing your energy waste. Raising your thermostat by a few degrees and using a ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs over the summer. Just be…...

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Scam alert! Beware of these 6 scams

Illinois consumers are no strangers to scams–a review of the latest statistics shows how the Land of Lincoln is a favorite target. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that in 2024 Illinois ranked sixth in the number of victims (25,446) of Internet-related crime and fifth in…...

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