By Samantha Vercellino CUB’s Outreach Volunteer Arpi Yazijian knows that big utilities never get tired of asking for more money, which is why she volunteers her time helping the watchdog group protect consumers like you. The Glenview-area resident—who’s been a CUB member for ten years –contacted Illinois’ leading utility nonprofit…...
Breaking: Peoples, North Shore Gas receive $78.5 million in rate hikes
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Wednesday granted Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas a $78.5 million increase in delivery rates ($74.8 million for Peoples Gas, $3.7 million for North Shore Gas, according to ICC figures). We’re glad the ICC slashed the companies’ initial rate requests by more than $50 million, but we still think the…...
Debunked: 5 Home Heating Myths You Still Believe
It’s time for Mythbusters: CUB Edition. As temperatures drop, make sure you’re not falling victim to these home heating myths. Learn how to heat your home efficiently and economically this winter. 1. MYTH: The higher you set your thermostat, the faster it will heat your home. FACT: After coming in shivering from…...
Join the fight against ComEd & Ameren rate hikes
As of Jan. 1, ComEd and Ameren hit Illinois consumers with a combined electric rate increase of $436 million (about $232 million for ComEd and $204 million for Ameren). The rate-hike, which went into effect January 1, impacts “delivery” rates—what you pay the utility to deliver power to you—and accounts…...
New year, new hope for the Internet?
Recently at the world’s largest consumer electronics show, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler appeared to defend the reclassification of broadband Internet under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. That bombshell appears to be a big win for net neutrality, the idea that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must treat all Internet content…...
Illinois natural gas prices drop (for now)
By Samantha Vercellino The temperature isn’t the only thing that’s dropping. Gas prices have fallen by up to 31 percent this month, compared with December. Here’s a sampling of what major Illinois utilities are charging this month compared with last: Utility Company Jan. 2015 (cents/therm) Dec. 2014 (cents/therm) Percent Ameren 56.308 57.17 -1.51%…...
CUB Consumer Alert: tips on keeping safe, warm in the bitter cold
With forecasts calling for dangerous wind chills as low as 40 below zero, CUB today released a Consumer Alert. Here are our emergency tips: Don’t take any risks. The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 66 degrees in times like this. Never use your…...
Tell the FCC: Protect our phone service!
Sign CUB’s petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)! As Big Telecom pushes customers onto wireless and computer-based substitutes to replace traditional home phone service, the FCC is asking: How can we protect consumers? In Springfield, CUB is preparing to battle AT&T and other big phone companies that want to scrap…...
