As CUB approaches its 30th anniversary, we’ve compiled a list of some of the worst consumer horror stories we’ve ever heard. What better way to celebrate Halloween? 1) The phone plan that ate my bank account! It sounds like the title of a 1950s creature feature, but, unfortunately, it’s reality for…...
Energy efficiency can be a major challenge for pet owners, who typically have a furry, feathery or scaly resident that never leaves the house. But you don’t have to choose between keeping your pet comfortable and minimizing your energy costs—these simple actions will help you achieve both. 1. Use a programmable thermostat. In…...
Ameren is predicting its customers will see lower natural gas prices this winter—but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll see lower bills. The utility says it expects prices to hover between 53 and 55 cents per therm, down about 5 percent from the prices customers paid last winter. But Ameren cautioned that lower prices don’t guarantee…...
Like many of the 25,000 CUB Energy Saver users, Yumeaka Jackson turned to the online efficiency tool because of bill shock. “My light bill skyrocketed,” said the Aurora mother of two who works in the insurance industry. But thanks to a CUB Energy Saver contest she entered, Yumeaka saved 3,413 kilowatt-hours…...
In CUB’s recent statewide campaign promoting energy efficiency, one of our messages was that efficiency has always been about making your home more comfortable, but using less energy. Now that federal experts have predicted Midwest natural gas bills will jump by 13 percent compared with last winter, it’s time to…...
CUB held news conferences across Illinois today to release a report that holds both good news and bad news for Illinois consumers. First the bad news: The Federal Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently released state fact sheets that indicate Illinois is one of the biggest household energy users in the…...
Each year, CUB’s Consumer Advocacy Department handles nearly 10,000 calls, emails and letters from Illinoisans with questions or complaints about utility service. The team has saved individuals thousands of dollars by identifying errors on electric, gas and phone bills. Consumer Advocacy Director Sandra Marcelin-Reme said a lot of problems stem from…...
Tim Farmer, an IT consultant from Carol Stream, won the first week’s prize in CUB’s Energy Smart Month Giveaway—four LED light bulbs with a money-saving potential of up to $400. His name was randomly chosen from more than 300 people who took a one-question quiz: “Appliances, electronics and lighting account for…...
In reporting our latest good news—the Illinois Appellate Court upheld a $36.7 million refund for ComEd customers—Crain’s Chicago Business wrote: “The wheels of utility-rate justice turn slowly.” True, being a good consumer advocate means never giving up. The ruling made public this week comes after a six-year legal fight waged by…...
