Electricity supply prices charged by Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois have increased by 10 percent and 19 percent, respectively, as of October 1. Now that a pandemic-related ban on door-to-door marketing has been lifted, CUB warned Illinois consumers to beware of unscrupulous alternative supplier sales representatives that may try to…...
$1 Nest thermostat offer through Oct. 11
ComEd customers can now purchase a Google Nest thermostat—a device that can help you cut your heating and cooling costs—at a deep discount: $1 through Oct. 11. Who is eligible for the $1 Nest thermostat offer? The offer is only available to ComEd customers through the utility’s online buying platform:…...
CUB to participate in City of Chicago ‘Mobile City Hall’ events
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has been invited to participate in City Clerk of Chicago Anna Valencia’s Mobile City Hall initiative beginning this Saturday, Sept. 25. Each event will bring community resources and city departments directly to residents who are unable to commute downtown. CUB will have a table at…...
Forreston resident wins Best Energy Efficiency Tips contest
Congratulations to Geraldine of Forreston, IL on winning our Best Energy Efficiency Tip contest! A long time CUB member, she was randomly selected out of several participants to win $100 off of her utility bills. Check out the winning entry: “Use the air conditioner for brief periods (about 15 minutes…...
General Assembly passes historic energy bill: Now begins the hard work of implementation
The General Assembly has passed landmark energy legislation that consumer and environmental advocates have worked for years to achieve. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act puts Illinois on a path to 100 percent clean energy while implementing the strongest utility ethics reforms and energy efficiency provisions in state history. And…...
Alternative supplier agrees to pay $300,000 settlement
Alternative electric supplier Star Energy Partners LLC will pay a $300,000 settlement for alleged misleading marketing practices and agreed to stop pitching its products or enrolling customers in Illinois for two years. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved the settlement, which was negotiated by consumer advocates, including utility watchdog Citizens…...
CUB, other advocates race against clock: General Assembly tries one more time to pass strong clean energy bill
UPDATE: Early this morning, the Illinois Senate passed comprehensive clean energy legislation (Senate Bill 18) and sent it to the state House of Representatives. (The vote was 39-16-2.) That came after days of negotiations and two hearings by the Senate Committee on Energy and Public Utilities. While there is broad agreement…...
New crisis program to provide water bill assistance
Help is on the way for thousands of Illinois households struggling with their water and wastewater bills during the pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) as a two-year crisis program providing benefits for water customers in need…...