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rate hikes

High-bill Alert: Consumers face multiple electric/gas rate hikes—so who’s cashing in?

Special report: Illinois consumers in 2025 are being threatened with rate hikes on both sides of the bill—supply and delivery—as big energy companies and utilities push for windfall profits. Energy Price Spikes In April alone, most Illinois utilities saw gas prices jump by up to 104 percent, compared to last…...

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Casework Roundup: A report from CUB’s General Counsel

By Eric DeBellis CUB General Counsel As usual, we’re busy juggling a heavy caseload before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) concerning the state’s biggest utilities: ComEd, Ameren, Peoples Gas, Illinois American and Aqua Illinois. Here’s a summary of where we’re at:  Electric Cases Background: Back in December, the ICC slashed…...

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CUB calls on ICC to reject record rate hike for Peoples Gas after agency official recommends big increase for utility

An administrative law judge for the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has issued a “proposed order” recommending that the ICC approve a record-high $350 million rate hike for Peoples Gas, awarding the company the vast bulk — 87 percent —of the $402 million increase it has sought from regulators.  The recommended…...

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Ameren gets bad measure passed in General Assembly–but Guv says he will veto

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he will veto a rate-hike proposal that Ameren Illinois got passed on the last day of the General Assembly’s spring 2023 session. Big thank you to hundreds of CUB supporters who sent messages to their legislators opposing Amendment 4 to House Bill 3445. In an emergency…...

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Legal update: CUB testimony on record rate hikes urges $1.6 billion in reductions

By: Eric DeBellis General Counsel CUB’s legal team has been working nonstop the past month, filing expert testimony with state regulators to oppose a record six utility rate hikes, exposing the proposed increases as unjust and unreasonable and urging state regulators to cut them by a combined total of at…...

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Overpaying by $4.4 billion? New report shows why we need electricity market reforms

We’re paying $4.4 billion more for electricity than we need to be. According to a new report, consumers all over the U.S.—including northern Illinois—are overpaying for a “capacity” charge that’s hidden on most electric bills. This is a major reason why CUB is fighting for the electricity-market reform provisions in…...

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IL power bills lowest in the Midwest (again)–but that advantage is threatened

For the seventh consecutive year, Illinois had the lowest average electricity bills in the Midwest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). But nobody thinks power bills are low—there’s more work to do. That’s why CUB and other consumer/environmental advocates are pushing Illinois to pass the Clean Energy Jobs…...

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Update on Ameren, ComEd delivery rates in 2020

When you’re taking on big utilities, the victories never come easy, but CUB’s legal team has some good news for ComEd and Ameren customers: Your delivery rates will be reduced in 2020. This is a nice development, but it’s been overshadowed by an upcoming ruling by the Federal Energy Regulatory…...

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Executive Director’s Report

Because of CUB’s most valuable supporters, here’s an update on where we’re at with some key battles in Springfield. Also, we want to let you know about a special offer in honor of CUB’s 35th anniversary. 35 years ago this month, a small group of consumer advocates began challenging high…...

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Help CUB continue fighting for consumers: #GivingTuesday

Today, Giving Tuesday, CUB has a special offer: Donate $30 or more to help fight rate hikes, and we will renew your CUB membership for 2019 and send you a soft roll-up blanket (48” X 53”) decorated with the CUB logo. (It’s a great holiday gift—perfect for fall sporting events or cozy…...

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