Gas utilities file supply prices–called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)–each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in December. Compared with last month, five of 9 major utilities are charging prices that are lower, ranging from about 1.2 percent lower (Peoples…...
CUB statement: Regulatory judges’ proposed order would give Peoples Gas ‘license to inflict staggering rate hikes’
On Tuesday, administrative law judges for the Illinois Commerce Commission issued a Proposed Order in the regulatory body’s investigation (Docket No. 24-0081) into Peoples Gas’ System Modernization Program (SMP), a comprehensive overhaul of Chicago’s underground gas pipes that has been engulfed in controversy since its inception. (Read a pdf of…...
CUB Q&A: The Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) program
In November of 2023, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) ordered the major Illinois gas utilities to launch the state’s first-ever income-based program that provides gas-bill discounts for eligible customers. The Low-Income Discount Rate (LIDR) program, which went into effect on Oct. 1, 2024, was advocated for by Legal Action Chicago,…...
CUB’s money-saving events in October
With the onset of the winter heating season, CUB’s Outreach team will travel Illinois and staff free events to give consumers energy efficiency tips for their home, educate them on how clean energy can cut their utility bills and help people protect themselves from scams and rip-offs. We hope to…...
News Release: Groups launch city-wide campaign to engage Chicagoans on Peoples Gas pipe replacement investigation
CHICAGO – A coalition of consumer, environmental and environmental justice organizations gathered outside Peoples Gas headquarters today to announce an intensive grassroots campaign to educate and engage thousands of Chicagoans on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) investigation into the troubled Peoples Gas pipe replacement program. (Read the full news release…...
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…...
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…...
