AARP Illinois and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Monday urged state regulators to reject Illinois American Water’s proposed $152 million rate-hike request at an Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) public forum in Bolingbrook. The increase would be Illinois American’s third rate hike since 2016. (Read the full news release here.)…...
CUB slams irresponsible Peoples Gas motion
The following is a statement from Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz reacting to a motion filed by Peoples Gas today seeking to get permission from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to claw back $134 million of disallowed funding for its pipeline-replacement program in 2024. If approved, this…...
‘I am not the gas utility’s ATM!’ CUB, consumer advocates rally outside Peoples Gas HQ to protest record rate hike
As Chicago struggles with a heating-affordability crisis and Peoples Gas rakes in five years of record profits, residents rallied outside the utility’s headquarters to slam the company’s record $402 million rate hike and urge state regulators and policymakers to hold the utility accountable. Waving signs like “I am not the…...
Peoples Gas pushing for $402 million rate hike– another fossil fuel increase!
Peoples Gas, which serves Chicago residents, was expected on Friday to file for a record $402 million rate hike–a roughly 59 percent increase in delivery rates, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Its suburban sister company, North Shore Gas, also is expected to file for an $18.5 million, or about 19…...
Advocates push for cutting $18.8 million off Illinois American Water rate-hike request
CUB argues that Illinois’ biggest private water company is pushing for an exorbitant profit rate for its shareholders, and its $100 million rate-hike request should be reduced by nearly 20 percent. The consumer watchdog group co-sponsored testimony from Christopher Walters, an expert on water regulatory issues with Brubaker & Associates,…...
CUB Statement on $199 Million ComEd Rate-Hike Request
This is the statement CUB released on Friday, April 15: This is bad news for Illinois consumers who are coming off the most expensive winter heating season in more than decade, and it’s why we’re working to build a more consumer-friendly rate-setting system in Illinois. CUB will review ComEd’s rate-hike…...
CUB Q&A: Illinois American Water’s rate-hike request
What happened? In February, Illinois American Water filed for a $87.4 million increase in rates before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). How much will this cost customers? The rate hike includes a $65.7 million, or 27 percent, increase in water service rates and a $21.7 million, or 59 percent, increase in…...
BREAKING: Ameren asks for a $64 million electric rate hike
Ameren has filed a $64 million rate-hike request before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s the statement by CUB Executive Director David Kolata: This is an awful time for a rate hike, as Illinois families struggle to pay their utility bills amid the COVID-19 public health crisis. Our legal team…...
BREAKING: CUB vows to fight ComEd’s $51 million rate-hike request
ComEd has announced it wants a $51 million rate hike. Below is CUB’s statement from Executive Director David Kolata. ComEd’s $51 million rate-hike request is bad timing, as an unprecedented number of consumers struggle to pay their utility bills during the pandemic. Our legal team will study ComEd’s rate-hike filing…...