Twenty years ago, I was struggling through the infamous 1995 heatwave…by cuddling with frozen vegetables. As a cub reporter for The Associated Press in Milwaukee, I spent my days (July 11-27, 1995) helping to record a heart-breaking toll: 85 heat-related deaths in Milwaukee, another 465 in Chicago. My nights were…...
Safety first: Tips to prevent electrical hazards
With air conditioners and ceiling fans powered on, summer is a time of high electricity use. But amidst all that buzzing and whirring, it might be easy to overlook some electrical safety risks. Follow these electrical safety tips to keep your home hazard-free: Check outlets for loose plugs that could cause shocks or…...
Worst Natural Gas Deals in Illinois
In northern Illinois, consumers have the option of choosing their natural gas supplier. But be careful! CUB reviewed dozens of offers and uncovered prices that were double or nearly double the utility rates. Watch CUB tell ABC 7’s Jason Knowles how to be a savvy shopper in the gas market. The fact that…...
Uh oh! 4 red flags in the electric market
Ballooning rates. Misleading marketing. Changing rates. Aggregation deals gone awry. Some pretty crazy stories have emerged in the Illinois electric market this year. CUB has been keeping an eye on developments to help consumers protect themselves in these treacherous times. While many alternative electric suppliers are acting appropriately in the market,…...
