Throughout the pandemic, consumer advocates, state regulators and utilities have negotiated consumer protections to try to keep people connected to service. The following is a summary of the latest protections, broken down by the major utilities in the state, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). After reading this, CUB…...
CUB Q&A: Illinois American Water’s rate-hike request
What happened? In February, Illinois American Water filed for a $87.4 million increase in rates before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). How much will this cost customers? The rate hike includes a $65.7 million, or 27 percent, increase in water service rates and a $21.7 million, or 59 percent, increase in…...
Marking a year of skyrocketing gas prices: CUB urges consumers to separate myth from fact
As Illinois utility customers enter their twelfth straight month of high heating prices, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) issued a consumer alert to warn natural gas customers about pervasive myths that could ultimately hurt their bottom lines. (Watch CUB’s video on three actions you can take to fight high gas…...
The worst utility bill of 2021? No surprise here: Natural gas!
Congratulations to Candice of Lake Zurich on winning CUB’s $100 prize for participating in our “Most Expensive Utility Bill of 2021” poll. Candice’s submission was randomly selected from over 300 participants. Like most other respondents, Candice said their natural gas bill was the worst: “My gas bill in December 2020…...
February’s natural gas prices: How much will you pay to heat your home?
A year after a deep freeze across the Southern United States sparked problems in the natural gas distribution system, Illinois consumers are still suffering under skyrocketing heating bills because of that extreme weather and other market problems. The prices for major natural gas utilities in Illinois are as follows: Ameren…...
As Illinois consumers suffer through a cold, expensive winter, coalition urges Springfield to end abusive surcharge on heating bills
With heating bills skyrocketing across Illinois, a coalition of consumer advocates joined with key legislators on Monday to urge the Illinois General Assembly to eliminate a natural gas surcharge that has helped major utilities rapidly increase bills, plunging many families into crisis this winter. At a news conference, AARP Illinois,…...
