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: Sustained High PJM Capacity Prices Ramp Up Urgency For Data Center Reform
Latest PJM auction results let Big Tech off the hook, while everyday customers suffer years-long bill spike We have now seen four straight capacity auctions with painfully high prices because policymakers at every level are letting Big Tech–some of the world’s wealthiest corporations–off the hook. Across the PJM region, continued…...
CUB Urges Illinois American customers to Attend ICC forum on rate hike
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Tuesday urged Illinois American Water customers to speak out against the utility’s push for a $142 million rate hike at a public forum organized by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). The forum is: 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, July 14 Bolingbrook Community Center, Room A 201…...
CUB’s report on gas market volatility: July 2026
While five major gas utilities in Illinois reported lower prices compared with last July, several are charging higher supply rates—including Liberty Utilities and Consumers Gas, which are charging a whopping $1.03 per therm and $1.83 per therm this month, respectively, according to a CUB review of gas supply prices. Illinois…...
CUB’s report on gas utility prices: June 2026
While several gas utilities in Illinois, thankfully, reported lower prices compared with last June, one company, Liberty Utilities, reported a spike of about 33 percent, according to a CUB review of June prices. Illinois utilities file their supply price, called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA), each month with the Illinois…...
Springfield Update: Illinois fails to pass POWER Act–but data center fight “far from over”
Despite hundreds of advocates rallying in Springfield to protect Illinois consumers from high power bills caused by data centers, the Illinois General Assembly adjourned in the wee hours of June 1 without voting on the POWER ACT (Senate Bill 4016/House Bill 5513). [Update: In a major development after the session…...
Op-Ed: Illinois AG’s bill credits a bit of good news–but Peoples Gas fight far from over
By Sarah Moskowitz, CUB Executive Director After years of hearing from so many Chicago families fed up with their escalating heating bills, we were happy that Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul was able to deliver some good news to long-suffering Peoples Gas customers—in the form of bill credits coming their…...
Celebrating Our Earth Month Heroes: Inspiring stories from across Illinois
This Earth Month, we asked a simple question: Who inspires you? You responded with powerful stories of care, quiet leadership, and everyday action across Illinois. Thank you for sharing them with CUB! Congratulations to Nanci and Leslie for being randomly selected to win $25 home-improvement gift cards in our Earth…...
Consumer advocates, Rep. Du Buclet issue warning against alternative electric/gas supplier rip-offs, make urgent call for legislative reforms
As financial losses mount for Illinois consumers with alternative electric and gas suppliers, the watchdog Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has joined with other consumer advocates and state Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet to advocate for the No More Utility Bill Rip-Offs Customer Protection Act (House Bill 4313), a series of reforms…...
