More than a million Illinois consumers are with alternative suppliers, but CUB would like to alert people to yet another choice: Commonwealth Edison’s Hourly Pricing program. The program lets customers take advantage of hourly market-based electricity rates, which tend to be lower during nights and weekends. While not for everyone, thousands of…...
Gas prices are up–but don’t fall for these myths
Chicago-area natural gas prices this month are up 41-51 percent compared with last February–but don’t assume you’ll find better deals with an unregulated gas supplier. The most notable February increase is for Nicor Gas customers, who will see a 52 percent jump since last year, from 27 cents per therm to 41 cents…...
CUB featured on WGN-TV
WGN news last night ran a story that featured CUB’s petition to the Federal Communications Commission to ask for protections for cellphone data customers. The story profiles several customers receiving exorbitant bills for data overages, when they said they barely used their data at all. If you haven’t already, sign our…...
CUB honored with consumer education award
The Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative announced Monday that the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is a recipient of the group’s CLEAR Consumer Education Award for 2017. The annual CLEAR Awards, now in its fifth year, recognizes a utility, technology provider and nonprofit that serve as role models for smart grid consumer education…...
New electric rates for Ameren customers
Ameren customers may be pleasantly surprised to see their new electric rates for 2017, but CUB is fighting for an even bigger rate decrease. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved a $14.5 million Ameren electric rate decrease that took effect Jan. 1. CUB is glad that rates have dropped,…...
New electric rates for ComEd customers
With the new year comes new electric rates for Illinoisans. The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a $127.5 million ComEd delivery rate hike. The 5 percent increase took effect Jan. 1 and is expected to raise average bills (660 kilowatt-hours a month) by $2. CUB is challenging the rate hike…...
Want to lower your cellphone data bill?
One of the biggest sources of frustration for smartphone users is exorbitant data rates. However, there are measures you can take to prevent paying more than you have to on your next bill. (The Cleveland Plain Dealer ran a series of stories about data overages, including some really helpful tips, after…...
CUB cable campaign makes headlines across Illinois
We launched an education campaign for cable customers in mid-December, and it’s been making headlines across the state. Some examples of the coverage we’ve received: Comcast-owned station asks if cable bills are too high, Broadcasting Cable CUB offering guide on cutting on TV costs, Champaign News-Gazette CUB releases guide to…...
