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(Good) breaking news: U.S. Senate overwhelmingly votes in favor of anti-robocalls bill

The Senate has voted 97-1 to approve the TRACED Act, a bill to combat annoying robocalls plaguing millions of consumers. Among other things, the TRACED Act would: raise fines the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can impose on robocallers to up to $10,000 per call push phone companies to adopt technology…...

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New poll shows 7 out of 10 Illinoisans support the Clean Energy Jobs Act

A new poll shows 7 out of 10 Illinois residents are in favor of the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA). CEJA (Senate Bill 2132/House Bill 3624) would help keep a lid on Illinois consumers’ utility bills by boosting energy efficiency programs and taking advantage of the rapid growth of wind…...

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What you need to know about this summer’s electricity costs

As summer arrives, here’s a rundown of key electricity issues facing Illinois consumers. Lower Supply Prices: Ameren and ComEd have new prices for electricity supply, which will be in effect from June 1 to Oct. 1.  ComEd’s price is 6.725 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), down about 9 percent from last June. Ameren’s price…...

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Live in Chicago? Last winter you paid 67% more to heat your home than your friends in the burbs

There’s more evidence of an impending heating-affordability crisis for Chicago residents: This week, Crain’s Chicago Business reported that for the second consecutive year, city residents paid hundreds of dollars more for gas than suburbanites–about $324 more. In the winter of 2017-2018, Peoples Gas customers paid about 80 percent more on…...

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Executive Director’s Report

Because of CUB’s most valuable supporters, here’s an update on where we’re at with some key battles in Springfield. Also, we want to let you know about a special offer in honor of CUB’s 35th anniversary. 35 years ago this month, a small group of consumer advocates began challenging high…...

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Urgent: Outrageous fee increase

You’ve shown an interest in the fight for clean, low-cost energy, so today we’re asking you to take action against a terrible proposal in Springfield that would punish electric vehicle (EV) drivers with an outrageous fee increase. We’ve just been made aware of a legislative proposal that would jack up…...

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Clean Energy Lobby Day with CUB

This week, CUB joined hundreds of concerned consumers for Clean Energy Lobby Day in Springfield. It was an opportunity to speak to your representatives and senators about legislation that matters to you. On Thursday, busloads of people came to Springfield, including CUB staffers, to support the Clean Energy Jobs Act…...

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Did real-time pricing help electricity customers save in 2018?

by Cate York, Sustainable Communities Liaison at CUB Working as an outreach staffer for CUB takes me all over the state to talk to folks about how to save money on their utility bills. One of my favorite cost-saving measures to talk about is real-time pricing.  As any dedicated reader…...

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Good news, for a change

It’s easy to get discouraged when talking about rate hikes and rip-offs. But here’s some good news: One of Illinois’ biggest newspapers praised the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which CUB has been fighting for in Springfield. Read the Chicago Sun-Times editorial.  Please send a message to your legislators in favor of…...

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We have a winner: CUB’s Earth Day giveaway

Congratulations to the winner of CUB’s Earth Day giveaway: Bernadet of Naperville! She will be receiving a Nest smart thermostat, allowing her to control her home’s temperature from anywhere with her smartphone or tablet, and save on her electric bill. Smart thermostats are a great way to make your home…...

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