You may not know it, but the latest battle against bad deals is happening right on your electric bill. You’ve heard us tell all the horror stories of people paying skyrocketing bills at the hands of an alternative electric supplier. And you’ve heard us emphasize that one of the best…...
‘Like magic’: Consumer Advocacy Department captures $108,000+ in savings
Each year, thousands of Illinois consumers contact CUB’s Consumer Advocacy Department (CAD), to ask a question or file a complaint about an electric, gas, or telecom/cable company behaving badly. In 2018 alone, the department saved people more than $108,000, including: • $62,082.76, for an apartment building that was the victim of…...
Q&A on the Capacity Battle
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, CUB filed comments before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), protesting a proposal favored by out-of-state fossil-fuel generators that could undermine Illinois energy policy and send ComEd bills skyrocketing. Specifically, the generators want to change the rules governing a special electricity market—called a “capacity market”—that covers…...
The heating-affordability crisis
By Bryan McDaniel CUB’s Director of Governmental Affairs CUB has been working with other consumer advocates to reform the Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program–the utility’s mismanaged project that threatens to spark what Crain’s Chicago Business called a “heating-affordability crisis.” Last week I came face-to-face with the heating-affordability crisis. I met with…...
Q&A on AT&T ending the Lifeline discount for landline customers
CUB has been getting calls from AT&T customers concerned about a letter they received from the company announcing the end of a low-income discount on landline service. Read CUB’s Q & A. What happened? In September, certain AT&T landline customers received a letter from the company with the headline: “Your…...
CUB reacts to Gov. Rauner signing HB 4508, bad water bill
Statement by Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s Director of Governmental Affairs: We are disappointed that the General Assembly passed and, now, Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed House Bill 4508. CUB fought vigorously to improve this bill, arguing that customers of Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois should not be forced to finance…...
CUB calls on governor to veto a bad water bill
CUB made headlines this week when the watchdog group stood with state senators and suburban mayors to ask Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto House Bill 4508, legislation that will give special treatment to Illinois’ most powerful private water companies and opens the door for higher water rates for people across the…...
Good news/bad news on Ameren bills
There have been major developments concerning your Ameren natural gas and electric bills. Here’s a summary: The bad news: Rate hikes! Earlier this year, Ameren filed for a $46.6 million gas rate hike before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Now, it also wants a $71.75 million electric hike. The increases…...
