Guadalupe, a 92-year-old Waukegan resident, had no idea that attending a CUB event would result in her receiving a $1,500 refund. But that’s exactly what happened when experts from the consumer watchdog discovered Guadalupe was being overcharged by an alternative supplier she had no idea she was paying. In late…...
CUB Q&A: Why is Ameren’s electricity price spiking?
A spike in an electricity “capacity auction” means that Ameren Illinois’ summer supply price for power increased significantly on June 1. Ameren’s 11.326 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) summer supply rate is about 39 percent higher than the price in the summer of 2024. Thankfully, Ameren’s price is expected to go…...
CUB Q&A: Why is ComEd’s electricity price spiking?
Record-high prices in an electricity “capacity auction”–sparked by soaring data center energy demand–have caused Commonwealth Edison’s electricity price to remain elevated for a second straight summer. ComEd estimates this could cost customers about 12 percent more, on average, from June 2026 through May 2027, but hotter weather and other factors…...
CUB thanks Gov. Pritzker for pausing new tax incentives for data centers, outlining framework for data center safeguards in Illinois
The following is a statement from Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s announcement today that he is pausing new data center tax incentives. The governor also outlined a framework for data center safeguards in Illinois. We thank Gov. Pritzker for taking action today by…...
CUB warning: Beware of bad alternative supplier deals
CUB reminded Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison customers of the utilities’ new summer power prices, and warned customers about getting lured into bad alternative supplier deals. Even in this high-priced environment, the utilities’ supply prices are likely the best bet, the watchdog said. These are the utilities’ new summer supply…...
CUB expert testimony uncovers $50+ million in overcharges in Illinois American Water’s rate-hike proposal
As it attempts to dominate the state’s private water landscape through an aggressive acquisition strategy, Illinois American Water is pushing a rate hike that would overcharge customers by at least $54 million–including an exorbitant profit rate for shareholders and executive bonuses, according to expert testimony filed by the Citizens Utility…...
CUB alerts ComEd customers of new summer power price: 10.399¢ per kWh
Commonwealth Edison customers face a second consecutive summer of high bills, largely due to soaring energy demand sparked by new and proposed data centers, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Thursday. CUB urged ComEd to work with customers struggling to afford their bills this summer and called on the Illinois…...
CUB alerts Ameren customers of new summer power price: 11.326¢ per kWh
Ameren Illinois customers face a second consecutive summer of high bills, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Thursday, spreading the word about the utility’s June 1 electricity price. CUB urged Ameren to work with customers struggling to afford their bills to keep them connected in the hot summer, issued a…...
Consumer and environmental advocates: Expert testimony reveals Nicor’s push to hit customers with massive overcharges
Nicor Gas’ push for a sixth rate hike in less than a decade — and its second in as many years — threatens customers with massive overcharges to cover wasteful spending, lucrative executive bonuses and an exorbitant profit rate, according to expert testimony from consumer advocates. Combining findings from other…...
