After a historic agreement between consumer advocates and Illinois’ major utilities, state regulators are now considering the most comprehensive COVID-19 utility relief measures in the country. This plan could serve as a national model for helping utility customers struggling to pay their bills during the worst economic crisis since the…...
Alert: Electricity prices change for Ameren, ComEd customers
The Citizens Utility Board on Monday alerted Illinois consumers to a change in electricity prices for the state’s two largest utilities: Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison. As of June 1, both utilities switched to their summer “price to compare”—the rate customers should compare to alternative supplier offers. According to the…...
ComEd, Ameren file for electric rate decreases (yes, you read that right!)
Electric utilities ComEd and Ameren Illinois have both filed for rate decreases before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)—$11.5 million and $45.3 million, respectively. Both requests will be reviewed by the Commission and decided on in December. ComEd’s cut, its third rate decrease in a row and fifth in 10 years,…...
CUB “helped save my company from bankruptcy” with $82,000 credit
Devin B. won’t ever forget the monster ComEd bills he feared would bankrupt his small business before it even started. In March, ComEd told him he had used 293,106 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. That’s about 2,400 times his typical usage. His bill, which usually hovered around $100, ballooned to $44,226.…...
[New Info] Picking ComEd Customer Pockets
UPDATE: Today, CUB’s lawyers are filing comments before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). We’re protesting a proposal that CUB Executive Director Dave Kolata told Crain’s Chicago Business could have “devastating consequences for Illinois consumers.” And we need your help! For months we’ve been warning that a plan to redesign the nation’s…...
CUB to the rescue: A commercial rate for a residential space?
Gabriele was a charged a $1,200 deposit for using a commercial space, but argued she was just a residential customer. She had been using a previous owner’s storefront window space for family gatherings, kids’ art activities and meetings. With no business license, the space was not being used to sell…...

