CUB has received several complaints recently about a company called EverBright Solar going door-to-door across the state. The complaints include seniors who say they thought the 25-year lease was free when, in fact, it is not. (Some have told CUB they unknowingly signed up for an extremely expensive contract.) Because…...
Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition research shows a “painful history” of aggressive gas hikes
In a little more than a decade, Illinois’ three major gas utilities have raised delivery rates by close to $1.5 billion, almost doubling what customers pay–and aggressive utility spending threatens to make it even worse for consumers in years to come, according to research by members of the Illinois Clean…...
Op-Ed: Interstate Highways for Affordable Midwestern Power
By Sarah Moskowitz, CUB Executive Director If there’s one thing Chicagoans understand, it’s traffic congestion and how disruptive road closures can be to daily life. Anyone who navigated the construction on the Kennedy Expressway knows how important public infrastructure is for keeping this economy running. (Note: Read the version of…...
CUB joins legislative champions in Springfield to urge passage of Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act
With consumers and the power grid facing unprecedented threats–including price spikes, surging demand sparked by data centers, and poor regional policy–legislative champions joined with consumer advocates on Tuesday to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (SB2473/HB3779). Please: Act now to protect…...
CUB’s monthly report on gas market volatility: March 2025
Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in March. Compared with last month (February 2025), prices were higher for eight of 9 utilities: Ameren (about 0.24 percent higher), Illinois Gas (about…...
CUB’s 2025 State Capitol agenda: Fighting high bills, ridiculous charges, secret votes and supplier overcharges
By Bryan McDaniel CUB’s Director of Governmental Affairs The thing about consumer advocates is that we never give up. That’s why year after year, we’re advocating for strong, pro-consumer policy in the halls of the State Capitol. Here’s a summary of what we’re working on. Senate Bill 75: The Water…...
CUB’s monthly report on gas market volatility: February 2025
Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in February. Compared with last month (January 2025), prices were higher for eight of 9 utilities: Ameren Illinois (about 1.8 percent higher), Illinois Gas…...
Illinois Future of Gas: Alternative Fuels Meeting – January 13, 2025
By: Scott Allen, Energy Policy Specialist Alternative fuels was the theme of the eighth Future of Gas workshop. Advocates often refer to alternative fuels and decarbonization technologies (like so-called “renewable” natural gas, hydrogen and carbon capture connected to coal plants) as “false solutions” because they fail to truly deliver the…...
CUB statement on Ameren’s proposed $134 million gas rate hike
Ameren Illinois has proposed a $134.4 million gas rate hike in 2025. The following is a statement from CUB. CUB will challenge Ameren’s Illinois’ proposed gas rate hike. Ameren has already won $111 million in gas rate hikes since 2021, helping to plunge too many consumers across Illinois into crisis…...
