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Updates

POLL: What’s most annoying about cellphone service?

As it tries to pass legislation that would lead to the end of traditional landline service, AT&T is pushing phone alternatives that tend to be less reliable and more expensive, such as wireless service. Tell us what you find most annoying about your cellphone service by Wednesday, May 31, and you…...

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Programmable vs. smart thermostats

If you already own a programmable thermostat, you might be asking what the incentive is to invest in a smart thermostat: What kind of benefits do you get, how does it work and what rebates are available? As a consumer advocate, CUB finds the biggest benefit of a smart thermostat…...

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Fight for your Internet!

We’ve talked a lot about AT&T’s push in Springfield to end traditional home phone service—but it and other Internet providers like Comcast have been busy in Washington too. They’re trying to dismantle historic consumer protections called “net neutrality.” And that’s could mean bad news for our pocketbooks. Get the facts, and…...

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CUB releases first of its kind electric vehicle guide

The growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) will eventually bring major changes in electricity consumption. But EVs could be a key to creating a more efficient electricity system and lower rates for consumers—if state regulators, public utilities and consumer advocates work together to develop the right policies, according to a…...

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Urgent: Stop bad power deals

Over the last couple of weeks, the CUB Action Network has sent thousands of messages against AT&T’s plan to kill traditional home phone service, as well as plans from Nicor and ComEd to hit customers with a total of $300 million in rate hikes. And today, we ask that you…...

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AARP, IL PIRG, CUB Launch Save Our Service (SOS) Campaign

Today, AARP, the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and CUB joined forces to launch the Save Our Service (SOS) campaign to block AT&T-backed legislation that would hang up on Illinois’ most vulnerable phone customers. Consumer advocates urged Illinoisans to visit SaveOurPhoneService.com to send messages to the General Assembly against AT&T’s deregulation…...

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Tell legislators: Vote YES on HB 3503

Big Internet providers like AT&T and Comcast are allowed to charge you up to $10 a month to rent equipment like modems and routers, even after you’ve paid enough for the retail price of the equipment. Telecom companies provide no good reason for asking for the monthly fee indefinitely, other…...

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BREAKING: ComEd has filed for a $96 million rate hike

“A rate hike is never good news for consumers,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “CUB will conduct a detailed review of ComEd’s $96 million rate-hike request, and we will challenge every penny the company can’t justify.” Help us fight the hike! Send a message to state regulators against ComEd’s…...

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Money-saving programs worth bragging about

Thanks to efficiency programs offered by Illinois’ major utilities, saving energy—and money— is easier than ever before. CUB chose seven of its favorite energy efficiency programs from across Illinois. (See them below in no particular order.) Lighting Discounts Under ComEd’s Energy Efficiency program, you can receive instant in-store discounts on select ENERGY STAR…...

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Sign CUB’s Pledge: Defend Efficiency

In the past, we’ve alerted you about White House budget plans that would eliminate strong energy efficiency programs like Energy Star, which since its beginning in 1992 has saved residential and business customers more than $360 billion dollars on their utility bills. That’s why this Earth Month (April), it’s so…...

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