As of Oct. 1, ComEd and Ameren are charging new prices for electricity. This is vital information you need to avoid bad deals in Illinois’ power market. Luckily, CUB has got you covered. Read CUB’s 5 key facts about the new rates and answer a few short questions for a chance to…...
Hello October, hello lower gas prices!
By Samantha Vercellino As October rolls in, consumers begin preparing themselves for the arrival of two things: Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Lattes and higher utility bills. But Illinoisans may be singing a different tune this heating season, because major Illinois utilities are charging consumers 25-27 percent less to heat their homes…...
Which power suppliers are earning the most complaints?
Shopping for electricity suppliers can be a minefield. Illinois consumers need helpful tools to avoid confusing offers, bad deals, misleading marketing, and high-pressure sales tactics. Fortunately, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) publishes an excellent resource: the Retailer Electric Supplier Scorecard. The scorecard reveals which suppliers are earning the highest and lowest complaint rates…...
10 Tips to Cut Your Cellphone Bill
In just a few decades, the use of mobile devices has become ubiquitous (more than 90 percent of households now use wireless mobile service)—but that hasn’t made bills any more affordable. In fact, one of the biggest complaints we hear in the field is about bloated cellphone bills. With new features, expensive data…...
So what the heck is a green plan?
Crain’s Chicago Business has shined a spotlight on a “green” plan offered by Ethical Electric, which has been CUB’s biggest source of questions this year among dozens of alternative electric and gas suppliers. A direct mail piece by Ethical is short on detail on the plan’s actual cost, and how it…...
Julie’s report: Big ICC developments against bad power marketing
Today, CUB sent out an alert from Litigation Director Julie Soderna about two big developments in the battle to clean up Illinois’ competitive electricity market. The consumer watchdog is asking everyone to send a message to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), urging regulators: Don’t stop now! Here’s what’s happened…. Sperian…...
