This morning, Chicagoans awoke to frigid Arctic air that crushed a 79-year-old record. Wind chills accompanied by 20 mph gusts make the temperature feel as cold and biting as 30 degrees below zero, according to a wind chill advisory issued by the National Weather Service. The temperature at O’Hare Airport…...
Breaking: Peoples, North Shore Gas receive $78.5 million in rate hikes
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Wednesday granted Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas a $78.5 million increase in delivery rates ($74.8 million for Peoples Gas, $3.7 million for North Shore Gas, according to ICC figures). We’re glad the ICC slashed the companies’ initial rate requests by more than $50 million, but we still think the…...
CUB Consumer Alert: tips on keeping safe, warm in the bitter cold
With forecasts calling for dangerous wind chills as low as 40 below zero, CUB today released a Consumer Alert. Here are our emergency tips: Don’t take any risks. The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 66 degrees in times like this. Never use your…...
Tell the FCC: Protect our phone service!
Sign CUB’s petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)! As Big Telecom pushes customers onto wireless and computer-based substitutes to replace traditional home phone service, the FCC is asking: How can we protect consumers? In Springfield, CUB is preparing to battle AT&T and other big phone companies that want to scrap…...
Boo! Tell us your customer service horror story and you could win $25!
We thought Halloween is the perfect time to release our list of the worst customer service horror stories. Visit CUB’s Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/cubillinois, to share your own customer-service horror story by midnight Halloween for the chance to win $25 off your utility bills. After 30 years of consumer advocacy, CUB has heard its…...
Tell the ICC: Investigate the Illinois Electric Market
News from Illinois’ electric market hasn’t been great lately. CUB has seen an uptick in complaints from consumers who have encountered skyrocketing rates (up to six times the rate of the regulated utility!), misleading marketing, confusing offers and unpredictable pricing from alternative suppliers. It’s time to get to the bottom…...