Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois residential customers have lost a combined total of more than $206 million over the last year and more than $2.3 billion since 2015 to alternative electricity suppliers, according to the ICC’s Office of Retail Market Development’s annual report. While ComEd and Ameren are in charge…...
CUB’s fight to protect consumers from corporate fraud and preserve federal regulatory independence
CUB advocates for consumers in many different ways and venues, from holding utility bill clinics throughout Illinois, to making legal arguments in the highest court of the land. Earlier this June, the Supreme Court ruled on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) v. AT&T, a landmark decision that affirmed federal agencies’ authority…...
CUB Q&A: The Illinois Future of Gas proceeding
Illinois has launched its first-ever regulatory initiative to discuss the future of home heating in Illinois. So what is the “Future of Gas” proceeding all about? Please read the Q&A below, and consider using our online form to submit a public comment. What is the Future of Gas proceeding? Launched…...
In two cases before state regulators, CUB challenges Ameren rate hike, plus $300 million+ in questionable spending in utility’s grid plan
CUB alerted Ameren Illinois electricity customers to two cases before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) in which the watchdog is challenging a proposed rate hike from the utility as well as more than $300 million in questionable spending in the company’s proposed plan for upgrading the grid. (Read a pdf version…...
CUB’s report on gas market volatility: August 2026
Gas prices for four of Illinois’ 9 major utilities were up from a year ago, led by Liberty Utilities, which is charging a whopping 95 cents per therm supply rate, according to a CUB review of August gas prices. Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month…...
CUB urges North Shore Gas customers to speak out as watchdog finds millions in overcharges in proposed rate hike
North Shore Gas’ proposed $14.4 million rate hike includes padded profit margins, excessive executive bonuses and overstated cost estimates and should be cut by about 55 percent, at least, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Thursday. (Read CUB’s news release.) CUB has filed expert testimony with the Illinois Commerce Commission…...
CUB’s money-saving events in August
CUB’s Outreach team travels across the state 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. Summer is in full swing, and CUB can help you learn…...
Will Illinois meet the moment to rein in data centers and save us from skyrocketing power bills?
By Sarah Moskowitz Executive Director Citizens Utility Board (CUB) (Note: A version of this opinion piece appeared in Crain’s Chicago Business on July 27, 2026.) This summer millions of Illinois consumers are paying power prices that are about 40-50 percent higher than what they were just two years ago, and…...
CUB Q&A: Battery + electricity supply offers in Illinois
Interested in installing battery storage at your home? There’s a new type of offer in ComEd territory that aims to make backup home batteries more affordable by bundling them with an alternative retail electric supply (ARES) plan. (Download a printable pdf version of this Q&A.) Right now, there are two…...
CUB’s 2026 rate-hike battles: Utilities push for $880 million+ in higher rates
In a year when we’re already paying elevated electricity prices, Illinois’ biggest utilities are piling on by pushing for more than $880 million in new rate hikes before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The parent companies of these utilities raked in about $15 billion in total profits in 2025, and…...
