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Programmable vs. smart thermostats

If you already own a programmable thermostat, you might be asking what the incentive is to invest in a smart thermostat: What kind of benefits do you get, how does it work and what rebates are available? As a consumer advocate, CUB finds the biggest benefit of a smart thermostat…...

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Fight for your Internet!

We’ve talked a lot about AT&T’s push in Springfield to end traditional home phone service—but it and other Internet providers like Comcast have been busy in Washington too. They’re trying to dismantle historic consumer protections called “net neutrality.” And that’s could mean bad news for our pocketbooks. Get the facts, and…...

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CUB releases first of its kind electric vehicle guide

The growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) will eventually bring major changes in electricity consumption. But EVs could be a key to creating a more efficient electricity system and lower rates for consumers—if state regulators, public utilities and consumer advocates work together to develop the right policies, according to a…...

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Urgent: Stop bad power deals

Over the last couple of weeks, the CUB Action Network has sent thousands of messages against AT&T’s plan to kill traditional home phone service, as well as plans from Nicor and ComEd to hit customers with a total of $300 million in rate hikes. And today, we ask that you…...

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Making headlines: The fight against AT&T’s plan to end traditional home phone service

Check out the great coverage we garnered for the “Save Our Service” (SOS) Campaign against AT&T’s plan to end traditional home phone service. And, if you haven’t already, please make sure to send a message to your state legislators asking them to say NO to AT&T:     NBC 5, Chicago…...

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IL watchdogs sound the alarm on AT&T’s plan to eliminate landlines

Have you seen the headlines? This week, Illinois top consumer advocates held news conferences in seven cities across the state to fight bad legislation from AT&T. The company, which made $13 billion in profits in 2016, wants to end traditional home phone service (landlines) in its service territory—but consumer advocates…...

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AARP, IL PIRG, CUB Launch Save Our Service (SOS) Campaign

Today, AARP, the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and CUB joined forces to launch the Save Our Service (SOS) campaign to block AT&T-backed legislation that would hang up on Illinois’ most vulnerable phone customers. Consumer advocates urged Illinoisans to visit SaveOurPhoneService.com to send messages to the General Assembly against AT&T’s deregulation…...

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Tell legislators: Vote YES on HB 3503

Big Internet providers like AT&T and Comcast are allowed to charge you up to $10 a month to rent equipment like modems and routers, even after you’ve paid enough for the retail price of the equipment. Telecom companies provide no good reason for asking for the monthly fee indefinitely, other…...

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BREAKING: ComEd has filed for a $96 million rate hike

“A rate hike is never good news for consumers,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “CUB will conduct a detailed review of ComEd’s $96 million rate-hike request, and we will challenge every penny the company can’t justify.” Help us fight the hike! Send a message to state regulators against ComEd’s…...

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My summer EE checklist (grandpa would be proud)

By Scott Allen, CUB Environmental Outreach Coordinator (Hillsboro) As the weather turns warm, it’s time to get your home ready for summer. And that reminds me of the jobs I used to do for my grandpa, when I was a kid in Griggsville, Illinois, population 1,200. Over time, Grandpa Jerry, a…...

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