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Consumer Advocacy

Preparing for an Expensive Summer: Your Energy Efficiency Shopping List

In 2021, homes across the country used about 235 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to cool their homes–that’s about 16 percent of total residential energy consumption. So as we prepare for an expensive summer, it pays to improve your home’s efficiency. CUB put together a  home-improvement shopping list for better energy…...

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CUB Alert: Apply Now for LIHEAP Utility Bill Assistance Before May 31 Deadline

With an expensive summer ahead, we urge consumers to apply now for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding before the May 31 deadline. Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible for LIHEAP funding. To help consumers prepare to apply, we are holding two…...

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In Another Month of High Gas Prices, CUB Alerts Consumers to New Protections

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) urges people struggling to pay their heating bills to contact their utility to find out what protections and relief are available, as natural gas prices continued to soar. The price spike coupled with aggressive spending by gas utilities has caused many consumers to pay hundreds…...

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Consumer advocates secure utility protections after hard winter

Throughout the pandemic, consumer advocates, state regulators and utilities have negotiated consumer protections to try to keep people connected to service. The following is a summary of the latest protections, broken down by the major utilities in the state, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). After reading this, CUB…...

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CUB’s Consumer Agenda for 2021

Report from David Kolata, CUB executive director Happy New Year, everyone. I thank you for your support of CUB and your interest in working for lower utility bills and cleaner energy. As we look ahead to 2021, I want to give you a report on the major challenges facing Illinois…...

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CUB helps protect Verizon customer from $250 hassle

Donald had been with Verizon for almost 20 years, and he had never missed a payment. But the 82-year-old Bartonville retiree had no idea that getting a new phone would lead to a months-long hassle and Verizon slapping him with a $250 fee. That’s why he called CUB.  Donald, who…...

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CUB services helping consumers cut their utility bills $26/month

CUB services have saved participants an average of about $26 a month on their utility bills, according to a staff review.   COVID-19 may have brought CUB’s in-person events to a halt, but that hasn’t stopped CUB’s outreach team from working hard to serve consumers through online events and services. Along…...

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CUB staffer secures $4,800 refund from alternative supplier

If you’ve ever called CUB, there’s a good chance you’ve spoken to Jantay Gray, the woman who often answers our Consumer Hotline (1-800-669-5556). Jan is one of many outstanding consumer advocates on staff. This year, Sandra Marcelin-Reme, CUB’s director of consumer advocacy, sent the staff an email that exclaimed “WAY…...

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CUB’s online service captures “remarkable savings” for CUB member

CUB staffers have been working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped our outreach team from connecting with consumers and helping them save money on their bills. CUB member Don will save about $50 a month after his gas and electric bills were analyzed by CUB’s…...

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ICC orders $1 million fine against alternative energy supplier

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has fined alternative electricity supplier LifeEnergy, LLC, $1 million and ordered more than $34,000 in customer refunds for “admitted violations of state marketing and sales rules.” “This is a major victory for Illinois consumers, who have been ripped off by alternative energy suppliers far too…...

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