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CUB’s Guide to Reducing Robocalls

Earlier this month, we received such a passionate response to our call to action on robocalls (1,500+ signed our petition!), that we’ve created CUB’s Guide to Fighting Robocalls.  “Robocalls have become more than a nuisance,” Mary Anne wrote on CUB’s Facebook page. “I have been getting the same ones for years…...

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Consumer saves almost $600 with Hourly Pricing

ComEd’s Hourly Pricing program is a great way to save money, not to mention practice wise energy use. One consumer, Jim, recently attended a CUB utility-bill clinic to tell us how Hourly Pricing has saved him hundreds of dollars! Hourly Pricing allows customers to pay the hourly market rate for…...

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Key solar updates from CUB

Illinois is on the brink of a solar boom—and we want to keep you informed of all the latest updates. Community Solar Updates: Community Solar will make the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy available to people who rent, live in multi-unit buildings, or for other reasons cannot install…...

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Latest CUB research good news for EV drivers

The World Electric Vehicle Journal recently published CUB’s paper on electric vehicle (EV) charging. Researched and written by CUB Executive Director Dave Kolata and Director of Research Jeff Zethmayr, Charge for Less: An Analysis of Hourly Electricity Pricing for Electric Vehicles compares what customers of Illinois utility Commonwealth Edison would have paid in…...

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Back-to-back consumer refunds: Over $800 in savings!

Jantay Gray, consumer advocacy assistant at CUB, recently helped two consumers land refunds–totaling $871.45! “I try my best to advocate for whom I believe to be the most vulnerable utility customers–the elderly and victims of economic disparities,” she said. Throughout the year, CUB’s Consumer Advocacy Department (CAD) takes thousands of calls…...

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New ComEd and Ameren rates: January 2019

What happened with your ComEd and Ameren rates as of January 1? CUB breaks it down for you. ComEd Customers Rates for ComEd increased slightly. » Single family homes without electric heat Monthly Customer Charge: $11.31/month (formerly $10.84/month) Distribution Facilities Charge: 3.539¢/kWh (formerly 3.171¢/kWh) » Multifamily homes without electric heat Monthly Customer Charge: $8.13/month (formerly $7.68/month) Distribution Facilities…...

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CUB in your neighborhood: January events

CUB’s Outreach team hosted over 500 events across Illinois last year. In 2019, we’re back to visiting your neck of the woods to help you save on your utility bills and find ways to better practice energy efficiency. Here’s an overview of where we’re headed in January. Click any of…...

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Tell AT&T, Comcast to do something about robocalls

Did you know in 2018, people in the United States got hit with a record 47.8 billion robocalls? That’s about 147 calls per person. That’s ridiculous. And Illinois is one of the hardest hit states in the country–in December alone we received 168 million automated calls. Some robocalls are good–like…...

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In 2019, CUB celebrates 35 years of fighting for consumers

Remember how bad it was before the Citizens Utility Board (CUB)? It was the spring of 1983, and Gov.  “Big Jim” Thompson was in a packed theater in southern Illinois pitching a tax increase—but people were more interested in what he would do about utility bills. What he said sparked…...

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Today: He’s MATCHING Donations

Exciting news: A generous, longtime CUB member, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered to donate $1,000 TODAY to match your contribution. So today your year-end, tax-deductible contribution can be twice as powerful! Why is he being so generous? He told us in an email: “With profit-mongering big energy companies threatening to cost consumers…...

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