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Anti-robocall legislation passes House, moves to Senate vote

The House voted 417-3 to pass anti-robocall legislation on Wednesday, taking aim at the troublesome and unwanted automated phone calls.  The Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, named after its House and Senate sponsors (Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. and Sen. John Thune), now awaits a vote in the Senate. With bipartisan support in…...

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December 2019 gas prices drop from last year

Natural gas prices have risen since last month for many utilities, but they’re down across the board from last December — an early holiday gift for Illinois ratepayers. The price per therm you will pay for your natural gas in the month of December, also known as the Purchased Gas…...

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CUB in your community: December 2019 events

  It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Although you may be busy preparing for the holiday season, take some time to check out CUB’s December event schedule. Click on an event for time, location and possible registration. Monday, Dec. 2 – Granite City Utility Bill Clinic Monday, Dec.…...

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This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for you

In this time of Thanksgiving, the CUB staff is thankful for you, our loyal supporters. We so appreciate your interest in fighting rate hikes, scams, annoying robocalls, and anything else that makes us pay more for telecom, gas, and electric service. Thank you! Because of your interest and involvement… Our…...

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Bill Clinic Briefs: Energy efficiency puts “money back in my pocket”

Some consumers come to our utility bill clinics looking for a trained set of eyes to scope out alternative supplier rip-offs or unnecessary charges. Other consumers, like Chuck, are hoping to get educated about energy efficiency. “I already look at our bills and scrutinize them,” he said at CUB’s clinic…...

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We asked, you answered: your top money-saving utility tips

Some of our best sources of information are Illinois consumers who tell us what they’re doing to save money. Last week, we asked you to submit your money-saving utility tips. You shared a lot of good advice, everything from assessing your phone plan to switching to LEDs. Below, we’ve highlighted…...

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Cellphone Guide Sources

“Access Wireless.” (2019). Retrieved Nov. 20, 2019. https://www.accesswireless.com/. “AT&T Senior Plan Review.” (2019). Retrieved Oct. 24, 2019. https://www.seniorliving.org/cell-phone/att/reviews/. “Coverage Maps.” (2019). Retrieved Nov. 20, 2019. https://www.opensignal.com/networks. “Download apps and games from the App Store.” (2019). Retrieved Nov. 20, 2019. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204266. “Get Android apps and digital content from the Google Play…...

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Maintenance plans: read the fine print

Maybe you’ve received a letter in the mail selling a utility maintenance plan that pitches “peace of mind” or “safety and security” and promises to “simplify the home repair and maintenance process.”  But be careful: That peace of mind can cost you.  Marketed as low-cost insurance to protect you against…...

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For sale: your water

By Bryan McDaniel, Director of Governmental Affairs  Water. We need it to live. Should we all own this valuable resource, or should private companies own our water? That question will be asked all over the state in the wake of two private companies successfully pushing for one of the nation’s most…...

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Illinois ratepayers “held hostage” by private water companies

Last week, one of CUB’s longtime members mailed us a note. “PLEASE HELP,” it read. “Stop Illinois American Water from taking over our water supply.” The Homer Glen resident wrote that Illinois American is “robbing” the locals. “I pay more for water than I do for gas and electric combined.”…...

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