(800) 669-5556

utility bills

Video: Protect yourself from utility disconnections

Protect yourself from disconnection with the following tips–and watch and share our new video.   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 –…...

Read more

ComEd and Ameren electricity prices up in October

Electricity supply prices charged by Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois have increased by 10 percent and 19 percent, respectively, as of October 1. Now that a pandemic-related ban on door-to-door marketing has been lifted, CUB warned Illinois consumers to beware of unscrupulous alternative supplier sales representatives that may try to…...

Read more

Take CUB’s Thermostat Quiz–you could win $100!

Do you bicker with your family over the thermostat setting? You’re not alone! Test your knowledge by taking our thermostat quiz. We’ll randomly select one quiz-taker to win $100 off their summer energy bills. The deadline to enter is midnight, July 31. Take the quiz now! Energy efficiency isn’t about…...

Read more

Washington Post: Nearly 1% of all Illinois residences were cut off for nonpayment in October 2020

In a special report from Peoria, Washington Post reporter Greg Jaffe uncovered grim statistics about shut-offs in that Central Illinois city.  It indicates, as one researcher said, that our social safety net is in “grave need of repair.” Jaffe reports: As the pandemic dragged on month after month, hundreds struggled…...

Read more

BREAKING: Clean Energy Jobs Act advances out of House committee

The Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) took an important step forward Monday, as members of the Illinois House Energy & Environment Committee voted it out of committee. CEJA now moves to the full Illinois House of Representatives for debate and a potential vote on the floor. In addition, a subject…...

Read more

CUB Q&A: Illinois and spiking natural gas prices

The extreme winter weather that hit the nation February 14-15 has led to some Illinois consumers paying high natural gas prices. In issuing a disaster proclamation for all 102 Illinois counties in the wake of the snow and subzero temperatures, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration sounded the alarm a few weeks ago:…...

Read more

Consumer advocates fight for extended COVID-19 protections for utility customers

After a historic agreement between consumer advocates and Illinois’ major utilities, state regulators are now considering the most comprehensive COVID-19 utility relief measures in the country. This plan could serve as a national model for helping utility customers struggling to pay their bills during the worst economic crisis since the…...

Read more

This week’s e-newsletter: 5 questions you should ask about your high gas/electric bills

“Why is my bill so high?” Danielle Holmes, Consumer Rights Specialist, gets that question a lot. Over the past 9 years she has counseled thousands of utility customers a year. Taking a hard look at your utility bills is probably not your favorite pastime—but Danielle has found that you can…...

Read more

Energy myths busted

Congratulations to CUB’s Energy Myths Quiz winners: Regina from Aurora and Patricia of Oak Lawn! They each won $100 off their October utility bills for taking the time to bust some energy myths. Whether you took the quiz or not, check out the answers below to see how your energy…...

Read more

Tell Gov. Rauner to fight rate hikes that cover utility legal fees

Did you know that under Illinois law your hard-earned money helps to cover utility company legal fees?     According to a review by CUB’s legal department, ComEd, Ameren and the other big utilities have charged their Illinois customers about $60 million on legal fees and other expenses trying to…...

Read more