With Chicago families already ailing from a decade of spiraling heating bills, an alliance of consumer and public-interest groups Wednesday launched a major advertising blitz aimed at thwarting a threat by Peoples Gas that would usher in an onslaught of record-breaking rate hikes over the next 15 years. (View a PDF…...
Casework Roundup: Enough! Gas utility pushes for record rate hike
The ink was barely dry on rate hikes granted electric and water utilities in 2024 when Nicor Gas and Ameren Illinois proposed new gas increases for 2025—including one that would be the largest gas increase in Illinois history. Also, Peoples Gas has filed papers with state regulators indicating it might…...
Making a Difference: CUB Consumer Advocacy team’s good work saves people money
CUB’s Consumer Advocacy team spends most of their days answering people’s calls and emails about utility bills and service. In 2024, this team (Annie, Danielle, Sandra) handled more than 1,600 consumer inquiries, saving individual utility customers a total of $48,054. Below are examples of people whom we’ve advocated for in…...
News Release: Groups deliver more than 5,000 public comments calling for reform of Peoples Gas pipe replacement program
As utility regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) near a final decision on its year-long investigation into the troubled Peoples Gas pipeline-replacement program, consumer and environmental organizations delivered more than 5,000 public comments calling for reform. “On behalf of AARP’s 250,000 members in Chicago and all older adults in…...
New electric rates for ComEd and Ameren customers in 2025
In December 2024, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) granted a $606 million hike in delivery rates for ComEd and a $309 million increase for Ameren. The rulings were a step in the right direction in that they cut hundreds of millions of dollars in wasteful spending proposed by both utilities, reduced…...
CUB Statement on Nicor Gas’ Proposed $309 Million Rate Hike
Nicor Gas’ campaign for a state-record rate hike of about $308.6 million–which is closer to $325 million when including taxes–is unjustified, and CUB will fight it. Illinois’ largest gas utility has now asked for five brutal rate hikes in less than a decade, causing hardship for customers by increasing gas…...
Happy New Year! Check out CUB’s January events
CUB’s Outreach team travels across the state of Illinois to staff free events offering consumers energy efficiency tips for their home, educating them on how clean energy can cut their utility bills and helping people protect themselves from scams and rip-offs. We hope to see you at one soon! 10:00…...
CUB’s monthly report on gas market volatility: January 2025
Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in January. Compared with last month, six of 9 major utilities are charging prices that are higher: Ameren (about 0.2 percent higher); Liberty Utilities…...
Save energy and money with these winter efficiency tips
Energy efficiency tips for getting through Illinois’ rough winters: Get rid of the clutter. Make sure heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture or carpet. Clean dust from vents or along baseboard heaters. Weatherstrip. Weatherstripping can be used to seal air leaks around doors and windows. By keeping…...
CUB Statement on Ameren Illinois’ Amended Grid Plan, Rate Hike
The following is a statement by CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz on the Thursday, Dec. 19 Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) ruling granting Ameren Illinois a $309 million rate hike. (PDF version of statement.) While we are concerned how any rate hike will impact consumers, it’s a step in the right direction…...
