As it attempts to dominate the state’s private water landscape through an aggressive acquisition strategy, Illinois American Water is pushing a rate hike that would overcharge customers by at least $54 million–including an exorbitant profit rate for shareholders and executive bonuses, according to expert testimony filed by the Citizens Utility…...
CUB: ICC should reject acquisition involving the state’s two biggest private water utilities, Illinois American and Aqua
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) should reject a proposed acquisition involving the parent companies of the state’s two biggest private water utilities–Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois–because the deal would not serve the public interest, according to expert testimony filed by the Citizens Utility Board (CUB). The parent companies of…...
Consumer alert: Illinois utility bills cover millions in hidden expenses that advance the utilities’ agendas, but have zero consumer benefit
Many Illinois consumers have no idea that their electric, gas and water bills cover tens of millions of dollars in self-serving utility expenses that have zero consumer benefit, but advance the agendas of Illinois utilities and increase their political power, consumer advocates warned Wednesday, while delivering thousands of petitions to…...
Heading into 2026, CUB names biggest threats to utility bills
Based on its experience combatting high utility costs over the past year, the consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Illinois has issued its list of what looks to be major threats to utility affordability in 2026. “As consumers struggle with high prices across the board for everyday necessities like…...
Making a Difference: CUB Consumer Advocacy team’s good work saves people money
CUB’s Consumer Advocacy team spends most of their days answering people’s calls and emails about utility bills and service. In 2024, this team (Annie, Danielle, Sandra) handled more than 1,600 consumer inquiries, saving individual utility customers a total of $48,054. Below are examples of people whom we’ve advocated for in…...
Consumer advocates attend Bolingbrook public forum to speak out against Illinois American Water’s $152 million rate-hike request
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.)…...
Buried in $493M in overdue bills: ICC database shows urgency of Illinois reining in big utilities
In one month alone, major electric, gas and water utilities in Illinois reported that more than 1.3 million of their customers were buried in $493.6 million in debt, according to April numbers the companies were required to file with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). “A lot has changed over the…...
News Release: CUB testimony uncovers $50 million in overcharges in Illinois American Water’s proposed rate hike
Testimony filed by the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has uncovered about $50 million in overcharges buried in Illinois American Water’s proposed rate hike, criticizing the company for seeking an excessive profit rate and charging customers millions for executive bonuses, CUB said Thursday (HTML and pdf versions of the news release).…...
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…...
CUB challenges water rate hikes in 2024: Help us fight them!
Illinois consumers face two new water rate hikes in 2024. Here’s how you can get involved. Aqua Illinois Rate Hike (ICC Docket # 24-0044) Aqua Illinois on Jan. 17 filed for a $19.2 million rate hike before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). For the average residential wastewater and water bill (4,000 gallons),…...
