Remember last year’s big consumer victory, when Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed Ameren Illinois’ “Right of First Refusal” proposal? The plan would have needlessly raised costs for electric customers by giving Ameren a monopoly over transmission projects in its territory, and, thus, eliminating a competitive bidding process. It would have been…...
CUB Statement on Illinois American’s $152 Million Rate-hike Request
Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz released a statement today about Illinois American Water’s $152 million rate-hike request before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC): Illinois American’s $152 million rate-hike request is severe and greedy—the company is pushing for an excessive profit rate for its shareholders—and CUB will do…...
Illinois Legislators Join the Push for Greater Grid Transparency with HB4747
Legislators from five states are joining together to introduce legislation to increase the transparency of electric utilities’ involvement in PJM, the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). PJM manages the power grid over 13 states and the District of Columbia, from the Midwest to the East Coast. The legislators are from Illinois,…...
CUB challenges new (and old) rate hikes in 2024: Help us fight them!
CUB’s 40th anniversary is going to be another tough year, as consumers face two new water rate hikes and major utilities unhappy with last year’s pro-consumer Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) rulings have launched legal challenges. Here’s how you can get involved. New Rate Hike: Aqua Illinois Rate Hike (ICC Docket #…...
Up and down: February gas prices down from last year, but up from last month
Gas utilities are charging prices in the new year that are an average of 24 percent lower than last February, but month-to-month instability is still rampant. Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Compared with last month, the prices are…...
Casework roundup: In 40th year, CUB fights old and new rate hikes
CUB’s 40th anniversary is turning out to be another tough year, as we fight old and new rate hikes. Major electric and gas utilities were not pleased with Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) rulings issued late last year–and all of them launched legal challenges to the decisions. Plus we’ve got breaking…...
Illinois’ two biggest private water companies push for rate hikes
Last year’s rate-hike barrage was bad enough, but now water companies want in on the action. CUB learned this week that Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois both want rate increases. Aqua Illinois on Jan. 17 filed a $19.2 million rate-hike request with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Aqua estimated…...
Marking 40 Years of Consumer Advocacy and $20 Billion in Savings, CUB Plans Year of Events To Help Illinois Consumers Protect Themselves Against Biggest Threats to Utility Bills In 2024
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a consumer group that has helped save Illinois utility customers more than $20 billion, is marking its 40th anniversary by traveling the state to give consumers money-saving tips and warn people about the worst threats to their utility bills in 2024. CUB’s 40th Anniversary Utility…...
