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Protect yourself from utility disconnections

Protect yourself from disconnection with the following tips. Be proactive. If you’re having difficulty paying your bills, call your utility. Here are the direct hotlines for major Illinois utilities: Ameren Illinois – 1-800-755-5000 Aqua Illinois – 1-877-987-2782 ComEd – 1-800-334-7661 Illinois American Water – 1-800-422-2782 Nicor Gas – 1-888-642-6748 North…...

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Buried in $493M in overdue bills: ICC database shows urgency of Illinois reining in big utilities

In one month alone, major electric, gas and water utilities in Illinois reported that more than 1.3 million of their customers were buried in $493.6 million in debt, according to April numbers the companies were required to file with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). “A lot has changed over the…...

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Statement: CUB applauds ICC for holding the line on Peoples Gas, as regulators thwart utility’s renewed bid for inflated spending on pipe-replacement

CHICAGO—Last November, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) reduced Peoples Gas’ proposed rate hike by about $100 million and ordered the utility  to pause its controversial and financially bloated pipe-replacement program – known as  the System Modernization Program (SMP) – pending further review to determine whether it could substantiate the need…...

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CUB’s Springfield Update: Thank you to our supporters!

By Bryan McDaniel, CUB Director of Governmental Affairs With major Illinois utilities pushing for a record number of rate hikes over the past year,  CUB drafted and found sponsors for four pro-consumer bills at the State Capitol. CUB’s legislation addressed the kind of issues that frustrate Illinois consumers: Worked to protect…...

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CUB’s monthly report on gas volatility: June 2024

Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what we uncovered in our review of June prices. Compared with last month, six major utilities are charging prices that are higher, ranging from about 2 percent (Ameren) to 65 percent (Mr. Carmel).…...

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CUB helps consumer get $23,288 refund!

CUB’s Consumer Advocacy Department this past spring helped secure a $23,288 refund for a Chicago business owner. Annie Warnock, CUB’s Bilingual Consumer Rights Specialist, took on the case of a small-business owner who was “distraught and confused” over high electric bills. The owner discovered she was with an alternative electricity…...

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CUB alerts Illinois consumers to new summer power prices

ComEd and Ameren Illinois are charging new electric supply prices as of June 1. Know these prices to avoid bad deals peddled by alternative electricity suppliers. As of June 1, the utilities are charging a new “price to compare,” the price customers should compare to alternative supplier offers, according to…...

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CUB’s money-saving events in June

Summer is here, and CUB’s Outreach team has a full month of free events planned to help you cut costs and avoid rip-offs. We hope to see you at one of these fine events! 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 4: Understanding Cable and Reducing Robocalls with CUB (online event)…...

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News Release: CUB testimony uncovers $50 million in overcharges in Illinois American Water’s proposed rate hike

Testimony filed by the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has uncovered about $50 million in overcharges buried in Illinois American Water’s proposed rate hike, criticizing the company for seeking an excessive profit rate and charging customers millions for executive bonuses, CUB said Thursday (HTML and pdf versions of the news release).…...

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Washington Post: Hiring a contractor for home electrification projects? Ask these questions!

The Washington Post provided a helpful checklist of key questions to ask for consumers wanting to electrify their homes. “Home upgrades are rarely easy, but home electrification projects present a novel challenge,” writes Climate Advice Columnist Michael J. Coren. “The technology inside modern appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters,…...

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