By Sarah Moskowitz, CUB Executive Director With recent and pending increases in electric and gas bill costs, fed up families, businesses, and policymakers have been reaching out to CUB asking what laws Illinois can pass to slow down this train of runaway rate hikes. Below you’ll find a list of…...
Consumer alert: Illinois utility bills cover millions in hidden expenses that advance the utilities’ agendas, but have zero consumer benefit
Many Illinois consumers have no idea that their electric, gas and water bills cover tens of millions of dollars in self-serving utility expenses that have zero consumer benefit, but advance the agendas of Illinois utilities and increase their political power, consumer advocates warned Wednesday, while delivering thousands of petitions to…...
Illinois passes the CRGA Act–here are its key provisions
At the end of October, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act, sweeping energy legislation that builds upon the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) of 2016 and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) of 2021. The CRGA Act provides Illinois with a long-term plan…...
Progress: Maryland legislators pass bill that shines light on utility votes at PJM–Illinois considering similar measure
Maryland legislators have passed a bill that requires utilities to disclose their votes at PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator. The same legislation has passed the Delaware Senate unanimously and is currently active in three other states–and CUB hopes to pass similar legislation in Illinois. For years CUB…...
Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition unveils 2024 legislative platform
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC), of which CUB is a member, has introduced its 2024 platform—a slate of legislation outlining critical solutions in the power, buildings, and transportation sectors that accelerate Illinois’ climate, equity, and energy goals. (Read the ICJC’s full release and watch the Springfield news conference.) In…...
Infrastructure bill awaits Biden’s signature, climate package faces uphill battle
The House has passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that would provide a much needed boost to the country’s broadband, utility and transportation services. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the $1 trillion plan in the coming weeks, but the bill’s companion, a $1.75 trillion social safety net and climate…...
Big step forward: Illinois Senate passes energy bill, now it’s on to the House
After more than two years pushing for comprehensive energy legislation that fights climate change and secures clean, affordable energy for Illinois, we’ve taken a key step forward this month. In the wee hours of the morning Wednesday, Sept. 1, the Illinois Senate passed legislation and sent it to the House.…...
Bipartisan infrastructure bill would see funds for electric grid, internet, EVs
On Tuesday this week, the Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill that takes aim at the nation’s failing infrastructure. The plan includes funding for roads and bridges, broadband infrastructure and access, electric vehicle charging stations and research, and aged water systems. “Today the…...
$2.3 trillion infrastructure package tackles internet access, EVs, grid modernization
The White House released its economic development strategy, a $2.3 trillion package that focuses on post-pandemic economic recovery, job development and infrastructure upgrades. Dubbed the American Jobs Plan, the proposal also includes key utility provisions, including a path to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. CUB breaks down some of…...
