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What is the Future Energy Jobs Act? CUB analyzes Illinois’ biggest energy legislation in years

The Illinois General Assembly has passed the Future Energy Jobs Act, one of the most significant pieces of energy legislation in the past 20 years. CUB members should know about this new law. What is it?  The Future Energy Jobs Act (Senate Bill 2814) is a compromise bill that was…...

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How much are utility parent companies making?

Help us in the fight against these utility giants. Consider a small gift, whatever you can afford, to help us lower your electric, gas and telecom bills!...

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Debunking AT&T’s claims of “affordable, often cheaper” phone service

In its bid to end traditional home phone service in Illinois, AT&T also wants to abolish the low-cost “Consumer’s Choice” plans that CUB created under a legal settlement with the phone giant. CUB calls the plans the best local calling deals in the state, but the AT&T lobbyists have been circulating…...

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How does this winter heating season compare to the past?

Despite this sudden burst of winter weather in March, we finally can see the light at the end of the tunnel. So how did natural gas prices for this heating season (November- March) compare with last winter? The largest average increase in the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) from last year…...

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A heated debate: What’s the ideal temperature for programming your thermostat?

When it comes to setting the thermostat, everyone has an opinion–and that can lead to some heated debates among couples (pun intended). According to the Department of Energy, setting your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day can save you up to 10…...

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What should you ask when considering an alternative electric supplier?

If you’re looking into signing up with an alternative electric supplier, make sure to look at this checklist before you put your name on the dotted line. For more information, including a complete list of current alternative supplier rates, get CUB’s no-cost “Guide to Avoiding Electric Rip-offs” emailed to you....

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Reminder: The sign-up deadline for Ameren’s Peak Time Rewards is March 1!

It’s the last day for Ameren Illinois customers with new advanced electric meters to sign up for a no-cost program that rewards them with bill credits for delaying heavy power usage on certain days. To sign up for Ameren’s Peak Time Rewards program, visit PeakTimeRewards.com or call 1-844-787-7874. Qualifying customers who…...

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Check your Comcast bill: Are you paying a “digital adapter” fee?

Every cable bill these days has add-on fees that allow companies to raise your bills without increasing the advertised rate of your TV package. For Comcast customers, one of those charges, called the “digital adapter” fee, has increased in 2017—from $3.99/month to $5.99/month. So, what is the fee supposed to…...

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Fight electric price-gouging: Support HB 3038

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) needs your help urging state legislators to pass a bill that shady electric suppliers don’t want. This bill combats a major problem in Illinois: electricity suppliers that price-gouge customers with bad deals. (We’ve seen customers paying up to five times the utility rate—sad.) The bill,…...

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CUB featured on CBS 2

CUB was featured on Chicago’s CBS 2 last night warning consumers in ComEd territory that they could see a marketing barrage from alternative electricity suppliers over the next year. The consumer watchdog told reporter Dorothy Tucker that more than 100 communities have contracts with alternative electricity suppliers expiring over the next six…...

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