CLAIM: You can get free solar panels installed on your roof! FACT: Some companies offer solar panel installation for no money down, but it’s not free—customers will be renting the panels monthly for the term of the lease (usually 15+ years). CUB RECOMMENDS: Explore your options. While leasing may make…...
Fight for LIHEAP and Energy Star
It’s frustrating that Washington is killing helpful solar and energy efficiency tax credits at the end of the year–but we still have a chance to save two energy programs that have been threatened: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Energy Star. Washington decides budget appropriations for the next fiscal year,…...
Overbilled by $720? After she spent 50+ hours on phone with AT&T, CUB helps end her “nightmare”
CUB helped end a Chicago consumer’s year-long “nightmare” with AT&T after the telecom giant’s mistake inflated her internet bill to 10 times what it usually was. Ms. C. contacted CUB in late February, but her problem with AT&T had begun a year earlier, when her Internet modem needed replacing. Instead…...
CUB’s free events in June
In what could be an expensive summer for Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois customers, CUB’s Outreach team will travel across the state of Illinois to staff free events giving consumers tips on energy efficiency for their homes, how clean energy can cut their utility bills and how they can protect…...
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 research shows a “painful history” of aggressive gas hikes
In a little more than a decade, Illinois’ three major gas utilities have raised delivery rates by close to $1.5 billion, almost doubling what customers pay–and aggressive utility spending threatens to make it even worse for consumers in years to come, according to research by members of the Illinois Clean…...
CUB applauds ICC for pumping brakes on controversial Peoples Gas Pipe-Replacement Program
Concluding a year-long investigation into concerns that Peoples Gas’ controversial pipe-replacement program was ushering Chicagoans to the brink of a financial abyss, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Thursday significantly restricted the amount the utility sought to spend to complete the initiative. In a ruling on the future of Peoples’ System Modernization…...
CUB’s 2025 State Capitol agenda: Fighting high bills, ridiculous charges, secret votes and supplier overcharges
By Bryan McDaniel CUB’s Director of Governmental Affairs The thing about consumer advocates is that we never give up. That’s why year after year, we’re advocating for strong, pro-consumer policy in the halls of the State Capitol. Here’s a summary of what we’re working on. Senate Bill 75: The Water…...
Chicago Sun-Times: Here’s how the Citizens Utility Board has saved Illinois consumers billions (The group turned 40 this year but not everyone knows about the CUB’s role in representing ratepayers.)
By Stephanie Zimmerman Chicago Sun-Times Utility bills can be confusing, but the nonpartisan Citizens Utility Board of Illinois has helped save consumers an estimated $20 billion in blocked rate hikes and refunds over the past 40 years. Yet not everyone knows about the group’s role in representing ratepayers, says CUB’s…...
Thank you, Illinois consumers: Executive Director’s 2024 End-of-Year Report
By Sarah Moskowitz, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board Below is my year-in-review for 2024–the Citizens Utility Board’s 40th anniversary. This is a snapshot of how hard the CUB team (pictured at the bottom of this article) is working for you and all Illinois consumers. I’m proud of the great work…...
