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CUB on Fox Chicago: How to keep your home warm in the bitter cold

CUB’s consumer alert sparked a live interview on Fox Chicago. A cold snap like this shows how important energy efficiency is! Watch CUB’s Fox interview here....

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7 tips for protecting your home from the ‘damn cold’

The experts say Illinois is getting slammed by a “polar vortex,” a rotating pool of frigid air bringing dangerous, record-low temperatures and wind chills of up to 50 degrees below zero. But one Chicago native had a simple way of describing it: It’s “damn cold.” The same energy efficiency tips…...

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Last-minute gift guide, for the energy nerd in all of us!

Around this time of year, I’m usually on the naughty list–the one my wife keeps. That’s because I’m still rushing to get that one last gift for the family member who has everything. For all those last-minute shoppers, we’ve put together a guide to energy-related gifts that save money, and…...

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A Holiday surprise for some CUB fans

As everyone prepares to celebrate the season, three fans of our Facebook page got goodies from CUB in our recent Holiday Giveaway. Jeff from Chicago won $50 off his gas or electric bill. “Wow, I’m surprised to win!” Jeff wrote.   Pam from Bloomington won a string of LED holiday…...

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CUB helps a grieving husband

After Aurora resident William Schweihs lost his wife, Louise, in April,he didn’t expect the headache he received from Verizon. Fortunately, CUB was there to help. William’s wife had been on a prepaid cellphone plan with Verizon, and her plan required her to maintain a balance to pay for her use. So…...

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5 things you should know about Ameren’s $45 million electric rate cut

Good news just in time for the holidays! The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has ordered a $45 million rate cut for Ameren electricity customers. Key points about the decrease: When it takes effect: Jan. 1, 2014. What’s behind the change: It’s part of Ameren’s new “formula rate.” Back in 2011, the…...

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Giving Tuesday: For CUB, ALL the battles are big

In honor of “Giving Tuesday”–the national day to support nonprofits–CUB has created this nifty Holiday eCard, with the CFL candle theme, pictured here. It allows people to honor friends and family this Holiday season–and support CUB’s fight for lower utility bills. That fight made headlines this year, as we helped to…...

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A gut punch to cellphone scam artists

We hope this is the beginning of the end for the insidious “cramming” scam. The nation’s big four cellphone companies are voluntarily banning most premium texting services from their bills–charges that have been a major culprit in the scam. The agreement was pushed by 45 state attorneys general, including Illinois’…...

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New CUB Video: How a smart power strip takes the bite out of vampire power

Go into your TV room and take a look at your entertainment system, with its Octopus-like tangle of wires and digital displays. The DVD player and sound system may be silent, but they’re costing you money. In fact this “vampire power,” from electronics and appliances that are plugged in but…...

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Five things to remember when buying a new cellphone

Two months ago I was debating whether or not to buy a new smartphone. My contract was over, my once powerful smartphone had lost its lightning speed, and I realized I was paying a premium monthly charge for a cellphone subsidy I had long since paid off. The internal debate raged…...

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