Last week my cell phone rang, and the caller ID said it was my young son’s afterschool program. I don’t get calls from afterschool, so immediately I thought that my son was sick or hurt. But when I picked up, it was just a robocall, specifically the Chinese consulate scam,…...
CUB Tips: Heat your home safely, efficiently amid a polar vortex
The frigid weather descending on Illinois is such a concern that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a disaster declaration to free up resources if needed during what he called “potentially historic” cold. You too should be prepared as the polar vortex blasts the Chicago area: Make sure you are heating…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
