Today, advocates gathered at City Hall to urge the Chicago City Council to pass a “Clean Buildings, Clean Air” ordinance that would establish emissions standards for newly constructed buildings. The ordinance would ensure new buildings in Chicago are built to be fossil-free with efficient appliances that lead to improved indoor…...
BREAKING: ComEd makes 4-year, $1.5 billion rate-hike request
ComEd will file with state regulators to hike its delivery rates by about $1.5 billion over four years beginning in 2024, Crain’s Chicago Business reported. In a statement, CUB promised to challenge the increase: “ComEd’s four-year, $1.5 billion request is terrible news on top of the record rate-hike requests that…...
ICC grants Illinois American Water $85M rate hike (CUB helped cut increase by $14M)
Illinois American Water, the largest private water company in the state, has increased rates by about $85.4 million. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) on Dec. 15 granted Illinois American the increase after an 11-month rate case. The water company had requested a $100 million rate hike last July. “While we’re…...
Alert: LIHEAP has reopened applications
With another potentially expensive winter ahead, CUB urges consumers to apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding, now that the application process has reopened. Households at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for LIHEAP funding. The application period runs through May 31,…...
Video: Protect yourself from utility disconnections
Protect yourself from disconnection with the following tips–and watch and share our new video. Be proactive. If you’re having difficulty paying your bills, call your utility. Here are the direct hotlines for major Illinois utilities: Ameren Illinois – 1-800-755-5000 Aqua Illinois – 1-877-987-2782 ComEd – 1-800-334-7661 Illinois American Water –…...
New electric rates for ComEd and Ameren customers in 2023
As of Jan. 1, ComEd and Ameren are charging new electricity rates. Here’s our breakdown: DELIVERY RATES What are delivery rates? Electric bills have two parts: delivery and supply. All of us pay delivery rates to cover the utilities’ costs of sending electricity over their wires to our homes–plus a…...
Peoples Gas pushing for $402 million rate hike– another fossil fuel increase!
Peoples Gas, which serves Chicago residents, was expected on Friday to file for a record $402 million rate hike–a roughly 59 percent increase in delivery rates, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Its suburban sister company, North Shore Gas, also is expected to file for an $18.5 million, or about 19…...
Tips for staying safe, warm and energy-efficient during Illinois winters
Illinois winters are notorious for snowfall and below freezing temperatures. Here are some tips to stay warm, safe and energy efficient. (You can find more tips and information about energy prices at CUBHelpCenter.com.) Staying safe in low temperatures Check on neighbors and loved ones. If you or someone you know…...
Statement from CUB Executive Director David Kolata on another record Nicor Gas rate-hike request
CUB statement on $321 million Nicor Gas rate-hike request: Nicor’s rate-hike request is a gut punch to consumers who are in their second consecutive winter of painfully high gas bills. Enough is enough. CUB will review Nicor’s excessive request and we will fight every penny the utility can’t justify. (Sign…...
