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Utility Profits

‘Protection’ during the pandemic? Big water company pitches peace of mind—but you should think twice

Tucked away in a news release about a major water company’s COVID-19-related donations was a pitch for insurance plans that cover utility-related home repairs. While the company promises “the unexpected—protected,” such offers often end up costing customers more than they’re worth.  American Water is the parent company of Illinois American,…...

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What companies have the highest power prices in Illinois?

Ivonne Ortiz, CUB’s Environmental Outreach Coordinator, researches the prices offered by Illinois’ alternative electricity suppliers each week, and she has some significant updates for you: Supplier sued. State Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit against Sperian Energy, seeking to bar the supplier from the Illinois market. The attorney general’s lawsuit…...

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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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Why support landlines?

Why should you oppose AT&T’s bid to kill traditional home phone service in its Illinois territory—even if you don’t own a landline? First, it might be helpful to know what the phone giant wants out of legislation in Springfield. AT&T is pushing two bills: Senate Bill 1381 and House Bill…...

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Despite monster profits, they still want YOU to pay more

The parent companies of Illinois’ major energy and telecom companies have made $12.5 billion in profits so far this year— so why exactly are so many Illinois utilities still asking for higher rates? Just check out these monster profits: Can you believe it?  The parent companies are raking in the dough, but the utilities…...

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IL energy, cable & phone companies made $17.7 billion in 2014

The parent companies of Illinois’ major electric, cable, natural gas and phone companies made a total of $17.7 billion in profits last year,  according to a CUB review of recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Comcast: The cable, phone and Internet giant saw its 2014 profits top $8.4 billion…...

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Your donation doubled

We have some great news today.  A longtime CUB supporter has offered to match all donations!  That’s right:  anything you donate will be doubled today only. This couldn’t have come at a more crucial time.  The utility parent companies have already raked in more than $8 billion in 2014 profits,…...

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They made how much?

We’re fighting the utilities in nearly $1 billion in rate-hike battles, but a review of their parent companies’ 2nd quarter earnings would have more than a few Illinois consumers scratching their heads as to why the companies need all that extra cash. The parent companies of ComEd, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas,…...

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