(800) 669-5556

COVID-19

Memo from the General Counsel: CUB’s consumer battles

By Julie Soderna, CUB General Counsel Below is a rundown of key consumer battles in our caseload. In summary, we helped reduce utility rate hikes by a total of $85 million, and we helped negotiate $2 million in refunds and energy assistance from three alternative suppliers accused of violating state…...

Read more

Could alternative suppliers come knocking again soon?

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, state utility regulators directed all alternative electric and natural gas suppliers to suspend their door-to-door sales because of the transmission risk. But the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) could soon allow doorstep sales now that Illinois is in phase 5 of its reopening plan. …...

Read more

CUB urges Illinois consumers to contact their utilities to access consumer protections

The Citizens Utility Board is urging Illinois consumers to contact their utility companies immediately to take advantage of consumer protections available to them due to the pandemic. A state moratorium on shutoffs expires on April 1, so it is vital that people who are struggling to afford their bills get in…...

Read more

CEJA sponsors reintroduce bill, pledge to pass legislation by May

Members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition today reintroduced a stronger Clean Energy Jobs Act, with a pledge from bill sponsors to pass the comprehensive energy legislation in the General Assembly by May 2021. “The days of ComEd, Exelon, Ameren, and big fossil fuel companies…...

Read more

Weatherization assistance, solar tax credits included in COVID stimulus package

Many consumers across the U.S. should soon see $600 payments in their bank accounts, thanks to a $900 billion stimulus package passed by Congress. Although headlines focused on financial assistance, the federal legislation also encourages energy efficiency and extends an important benefit for people who want to go solar.   The…...

Read more

CUB urges consumers to call utilities, access protections

CUB is urging Illinois consumers to contact their utility companies to take advantage of consumer protections available to them due to the pandemic. “If you are struggling to pay your bills, immediately contact your utility to find out what protections are available, and set up a plan to prevent disconnection,”…...

Read more

Three Important Steps To Keep from Getting Your Utility Service Cut Off During the Pandemic

If you’re struggling to pay your utility bills during this public health crisis, CUB has some guidance on what steps to take. 1) Call Your Utility: As the utility company is the entity issuing the bill and the only entity with access to your account, your first call—no matter the…...

Read more

CUB releases new infographics, including COVID-19 alert

Below is our gallery of new infographics, including an important update on utility consumer protections during the COVID-19 crisis. CUB thanks the Heising-Simons Foundation for a generous grant that helped us create this series of infographics about important consumer issues. Important utility customer protections during the COVID-19 Crisis Are you…...

Read more

CUB alert: People struggling to pay utility bills should call their utilities to take advantage of landmark consumer protections

CUB urges Illinois consumers having difficulty paying their utility bills during the pandemic to contact their utility companies to take advantage of unprecedented consumer protections available to them. “Anybody struggling to pay their bills during the pandemic should immediately contact their utility to find out what protections are available, and…...

Read more

Historic consumer protections: Urge the ICC to approve this COVID-19 relief plan

Illinois regulators this week will consider some of the strongest COVID-19 utility consumer protections in the country. Developed through weeks of discussion among consumer advocates and major utilities, this plan could serve as a national model to help utility customers struggling to pay their bills during the economic crisis. But…...

Read more