CUB wants to thank those of you who took action to protect two excellent state programs: Illinois Solar for All and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). A few weeks ago, funding for those programs was in danger of being “swept”—or used for different purposes in the…...
Quick poll: Robocall update
ROBOCALLS UPDATE: Major developments since April, when we sent federal regulators 2,900 petition signatures urging them to fight “spoofed” robocalls. (Robocalls that alter Caller ID to get you to pick up.) This summer, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed its highest fine ever ($120 million) against a robocall scheme. Get this:…...
Are you getting these robocalls?
Have you had this robocall nuisance hit your phone? Just last week, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fight “ringless voicemails”—robocalls that go straight to your voicemail box. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said: “We’ll take a look.” “With billions of robocalls made to…...
Future looks bright for solar in Illinois
By Martin Manov, CUB volunteer The state’s new Community Solar program offers a bright and clean future for Illinois. I, for one, have always been a strong advocate for clean energy and sustainability—and I’m not alone. “Going green” is a good investment, because it can lower energy costs and help…...
New milestone: $2.5 billion in consumer savings
CUB joined ComEd and Elevate Energy at the Shedd Aquarium today to celebrate an important milestone: $2.5 billion in consumer savings because of energy efficiency. But this milestone is just one step on the path to even bigger savings to come for Illinois customers. The Future Energy Jobs Act—historic energy…...
It’s Peak Time season!
As we enter the dog days of summer, Illinoisans who have signed up for ComEd’s Peak Time Savings or Ameren’s Peak Time Rewards programs will have the chance to earn credits on their power bills. These no-cost programs for people with new digital electric meters give participants a credit for reducing electricity…...
State Capitol update: Protect state funds keeping bills low
STATE CAPITOL UPDATE: CUB needs your help to defeat a Springfield maneuver that’s bad news for our utility bills. Here’s the problem: Special state funds to help make our utility bills more affordable are in danger of being “swept.” That means some people in Springfield want to drain those funds and…...
CUB Executive Director’s mid-year report
CUB’s legal team gets the headlines with the big victories, but our consumer advocacy and outreach teams offer vital help to individual consumers on a daily basis. The Chicago Tribune’s Help Squad profiled a recent CUB utility-bill clinic. We hold hundreds of events like this each year! Here’s what you and CUB…...
We have a winner in our rate-hike battle survey giveaway!
Congratulations to Karen of Chicago, who won $100 off her utility bills after answering our recent survey asking people to choose the biggest rate-hike battle facing Illinois. (Nicor Gas’ $208.5 million rate hike was chosen.) Here’s how Karen responded to the news: “It feels great to win the giveaway… I am…...
