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Bring Back Consumer Choice Plans: Support HB 3689

As part of CUB’s 2023 legislative agenda, the watchdog is working on House Bill 3689 to require AT&T once again to offer the Consumer’s Choice plans as an affordable landline option to consumers.  The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Mussman, needs your support. Sign CUB’s HB 3689 petition to…...

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A step-by-step guide to applying for LIHEAP

By: Kate Shonk Sustainable Communities Liason Applications are open for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and demand is exceptionally high this season so it’s best if income-eligible households can apply as soon as possible before funds are exhausted.  In previous years, funding has remained available until the end…...

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What’s the deal with air source heat pumps? CUB investigates

By David Weaver Carbon Free Buildings Coordinator Do you have questions about Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)? What are they? How do they work? Are they capable of heating my home in the winter? Will they save me money? Should I make the switch?  These are all important questions that…...

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Fighting for Illinois Consumers: CUB’s 2023 Legislative Agenda

Each year CUB works on a broad range of issues related to our core mission of saving consumers money on their utility bills. CUB’s priorities for the 2023 Illinois General Assembly session include the following: HB 2541- Representative Theresa Mah: This bill would cap the profit rate of electric, gas…...

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March gas prices plunge for some companies (finally)

CUB is glad to report that gas supply rates are continuing to decrease–even plunging for some companies–after almost two years of elevated prices.  Nicor, Illinois’ largest gas utility, is charging under 50 cents per therm for the first time in two years, and the supply price for Peoples Gas and…...

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Meet Eric DeBellis, CUB’s General Counsel leading the charge against rate hikes in 2023

It’s been quite a few months for CUB’s Eric DeBellis. Not only did he become a new dad, but he’s also challenging an unprecedented $2.9 billion in utility rate-hike requests as CUB’s new general counsel.  “The work we do at CUB matters because millions of Illinoisans pay utility companies billions of…...

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A guide to energy efficiency programs for income-qualified households

By Kate Shonk Sustainable Communities Liason Facing high energy prices and the rising cost of living, many consumers want to cut down on their monthly utility bills. In Illinois, consumers have access to energy efficiency programs offered by utility companies–including ones for income-qualified households.  The programs designed for lower-income customers…...

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Another way to take action against $2.9B in rate-hike requests: File a public comment with the ICC

In the wake of the $2.9 billion barrage of utility rate-hike requests there is yet another way to join the fight against these proposed gas and electric increases: File a public comment with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).  We’ve made it easy to do with the links below. If you’re…...

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IGS: CUB’s evaluation of a new community solar offer

This is an evaluation of IGS Energy’s community solar offering. (If you are not already familiar with community solar, we recommend reading our Introduction to Community Solar factsheet first.) How will signing up for the IGS Energy community solar offer affect my electric bill? IGS Energy will look at your…...

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CUB sounds the alarm on ‘unprecedented rate-hike barrage’

In what will go down as one of the worst months ever for Illinois utility customers, five major utilities in January filed for a combined total of $2.9 billion in rate hikes, CUB, which is challenging the increases, said in a news release. The two electric rate-hike requests—from ComEd and…...

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