Did you know that under Illinois law your hard-earned money helps to cover utility company legal fees? According to a review by CUB’s legal department, ComEd, Ameren and the other big utilities have charged their Illinois customers about $60 million on legal fees and other expenses trying to…...
ICC report shows record losses with alternative electric suppliers
CUB warns consumers that enrolling with an alternative supplier could lead to paying higher electric and gas bills. In fact, losses at the hands of electric suppliers reached a record high of $227.6 million over the past year, according to the 2018 annual report of the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Office…...
Don’t let fossil-fuel generators gouge us (UPDATE)
On Friday, June 29, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected two bad plans to revamp electricity pricing rules and raise electric bills in the power grid that stretches across 13 states, including northern Illinois. However, in a 3-2 vote, regulators also launched a 90-day process that could result in…...
Watch out ComEd customers: your next rate hike
CUB’s legal and policy teams are working to defeat two electricity-pricing proposals now before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that could cause ComEd bills to increase by tens of millions—if not hundreds of millions—of dollars. “This is a hidden hike, because it’s likely very few ComEd customers have heard…...
CUB calls on governor to veto a bad water bill
CUB made headlines this week when the watchdog group stood with state senators and suburban mayors to ask Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto House Bill 4508, legislation that will give special treatment to Illinois’ most powerful private water companies and opens the door for higher water rates for people across the…...
Are rising gas prices pushing Chicagoans to EVs?
Whether you’re environmentally conscience or searching for better economic choices, Electric Vehicles (EVs) present benefits across the board, especially in cities with rising gas prices, like Chicago. A spokesman for AAA said earlier this month that Chicago’s average gas price was $3.46 a gallon, a 35 percent increase from last…...
Ameren customers: Tell the ICC to oppose new rate hikes
CUB is asking Ameren customers to tell the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to oppose excessive Ameren rate hikes. This year, Ameren announced significant drops in its rates due to a decrease in the corporate tax rate on the delivery side of the bill and a drop in market electricity prices. Good…...
