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Consumer Victories

“Because I love how CUB saves people money”

Occasionally this year, a generous CUB member has been nice enough to match your donations. Recently, we asked him why, and his answer was simple: “Because I love how CUB saves people money.” To spark our fall campaign, this anonymous contributor has again generously offered to match every donation this…...

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Retiree says: CUB doesn’t mess around!

By Samantha Vercellino Arlene Cleary will admit she’s not tech-savvy, which is why she’s stuck with AT&T and the same long distance calling plan the past 58 years. However, a new laptop, courtesy of her grandchildren a few years ago, finally forced her to welcome a different type of service…...

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60 events! Outreach on record-setting pace in August

A big thank you to CUB’s Outreach team, which is on track to hold a record-breaking 60 money-saving events in August! The 10-member team is trying to beat the previous record of 57 speaking engagements, tabling events and utility-bill checkups across the state. Recently, the team traveled to Hillsboro, Maywood,…...

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Thanks for the memories, Cliff!

Please join us in tipping our hats to former Chicago Sun-Times cartoonist Cliff Wirth, who has now officially retired from The CUB Voice. It’s hard to believe that The Voice began featuring his cartoons more than 15 years ago. The friendship began back in the spring of 2000 after CUB requested…...

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CUB helps save ex-police officer from soggy basement

By Samantha Vercellino In 2013, Peoples Gas notified G. Droba of its plans to move his gas meter from the basement to the outside of his house. The Mount Greenwood resident didn’t mind—until his basement suffered severe water damage. During the switch, he said a pipe was jarred loose from…...

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Consumer listens to Dad, Calls CUB & saves on Comcast bundle

By Samantha Vercellino Last October, Lisa Karmenzind was ready to pull the plug on her Internet, cable and phone bundle from Comcast. Her monthly bill had jumped from $147 to $202, and she could no longer afford the expensive services. The Peoria-area resident wasted no time trying to sever ties…...

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Good riddance to obnoxious exit fees

In the General Assembly’s spring session, CUB championed the only major energy legislation to get passed—a bill that says sayonara to bad fees. State lawmakers unanimously approved a bill (HB 3766) that would cap exit fees charged by alternative power suppliers. Residential and small-business customers get slapped with these fees when…...

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CUB helps granddaughter secure $1,286 refund for grandmother

By Samantha Vercellino Ever since her grandmother fell ill, Cheryl  took over the responsibility of paying her utility bills. Handling her affairs never troubled Cheryl until the 97-year old racked up $1,200 in electric and gas charges with the alternative supplier Spark Energy. Concerned her grandmother signed up with Spark…...

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CUB helps consumer put a stop to rising Internet bills

By Samantha Vercellino Over the years, Jan Conrad watched as her AT&T Internet bill grew steadily. It wasn’t until after her bill topped $42 a month that she called CUB’s consumer hotline for help. “I was paying $42 just for Internet, and that’s what I used to pay for Internet…...

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Consumer sends heartfelt thank you after CUB saves her $60/month

By Samantha Vercellino Wanda Cunningham didn’t know how CUB could help her lower her high phone bills when she first called the consumer group. Now—one year later—the Olympia Fields resident credits her $60 a month savings to that fateful call. Wanda’s call was fielded by Bilingual Environmental Outreach Coordinator Ivonne Hernandez…...

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