Amid high energy prices, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is urging consumers who are struggling to pay their utility bills to call their utilities immediately to learn about protections available to stay connected to service. Some of those safeguards expire July 31. “It’s been a rough year for utility customers,…...
Capitol Report: Bill assistance, Internet access gain support, CEJA fight rages on
Although the Coronavirus pandemic has thrown some obstacles in the path of CUB’s spring legislative agenda, the fight for the Clean Energy Jobs Act continues—and we scored a few consumer victories during the General Assembly’s special session. From May 20-23, the General Assembly met for the first time in 11…...
Consumer Alert: PIPP is back! (but funds are going fast)
A program that helps low-income seniors and families stay current with their utility bills was reinstated after budget disputes in Springfield suspended it for a year. However, due to the program’s popularity the funding has run out in Cook County and is going fast in other counties. The Percentage of Income…...
Victory in Springfield: Funding restored for excellent utility program
Good news out of Springfield this week: General Assembly leaders and the governor restored funding for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)—an essential program that helps keep electric and gas bills affordable for roughly 50,000 low-income customers. After months of campaigning from consumer advocates, including CUB and more than 1,700 of you who…...
“It kind of broke my heart.”
James Crawford needs his electricity. The 61-year-old lifelong Hartford resident depends on an oxygen machine to assist with his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a condition that can make it hard to breathe. As a person suffering from several medical conditions while on a fixed income, Crawford also depended on the Percentage of Income…...
