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Updates

CUB’s money-saving events in October

With the heating season here, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is holding free events to give you money-saving energy efficiency tips, help you spot scams, answer your utility bill questions and discuss how data centers could affect your bills. We hope to see you at an event soon! 6:00 p.m.…...

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CUB’s report on gas market volatility: October 2026

Gas prices for five of Illinois’ 9 major utilities are lower than a year ago, and thankfully, predictions are for a relatively stable gas market. Still, there are examples of market volatility, including the Mt. Carmel utility, which is charging a gas price that is about 84 percent higher than…...

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State, Local Electeds Release Letter Opposing Peoples Gas Rate Hike, As Chicagoans Struggle With Rising Utility Bills

Thirty-eight alderpersons and state legislators representing Chicago sent a letter to state regulators Tuesday opposing the Peoples Gas rate hike.  (Read a PDF of this news release.) The letter calls on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to “oppose Peoples Gas’ proposed rate hike, reject its request for an excessive profit…...

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The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act: Details on consumer benefits

The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (“CRGA”) Act was signed into law as Public Act 104-0458 on Jan. 8, 2026, and took effect on June 1. CRGA is a comprehensive law aimed at enhancing energy reliability, affordability, and sustainability by facilitating the development of new battery storage projects, expanding energy…...

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CUB’s report on gas market volatility: September 2026

Gas prices for six of Illinois’ 9 major utilities were up from a year ago, including Consumers Gas, which is charging a supply rate about 89 percent higher than last September and Liberty Utilities, with a price that is up about 41 percent, according to a CUB review of September…...

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CUB Q&A: ComEd’s Time-of-Day (TOD) Pricing program

Commonwealth Edison’s Time-of-Day (TOD) Pricing is an optional program that can save you money when you shift your electricity use to cheaper times of day.  (Read a PDF version of this Q&A.) It is similar to ComEd’s Delivery Time-of-Day (Delivery TOD) Pricing) program. However, Delivery TOD only covers the delivery…...

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PJM enlists states in plan to hold Big Tech accountable for data center costs

PJM’s new plan would require data centers to bring their own energy or face power reductions—but relies on states to shield consumers from rising bills.  After an uphill battle, CUB is relieved to deliver some promising news: It appears PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator, is finally taking…...

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CUB review of state data: ComEd, Ameren residential customers have lost more than $2.3 billion to alternative power suppliers since 2015

Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois residential customers have lost a combined total of more than $206 million over the last year and more than $2.3 billion since 2015 to alternative electricity suppliers, according to the ICC’s Office of Retail Market Development’s annual report. (Read the pdf of CUB’s news release…...

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CUB’s fight to protect consumers from corporate fraud and preserve federal regulatory independence

CUB advocates for consumers in many different ways and venues, from holding utility bill clinics throughout Illinois, to making legal arguments in the highest court of the land. Earlier this June, the Supreme Court ruled on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) v. AT&T, a landmark decision that affirmed federal agencies’ authority…...

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In two cases before state regulators, CUB challenges Ameren rate hike, plus $300 million+ in questionable spending in utility’s grid plan

CUB alerted Ameren Illinois electricity customers to two cases before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) in which the watchdog is challenging a proposed rate hike from the utility as well as more than $300 million in questionable spending in the company’s proposed plan for upgrading the grid. (Read a pdf version…...

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