Over the last couple of weeks, the CUB Action Network has sent thousands of messages against AT&T’s plan to kill traditional home phone service, as well as plans from Nicor and ComEd to hit customers with a total of $300 million in rate hikes. And today, we ask that you…...
IL watchdogs sound the alarm on AT&T’s plan to eliminate landlines
Have you seen the headlines? This week, Illinois top consumer advocates held news conferences in seven cities across the state to fight bad legislation from AT&T. The company, which made $13 billion in profits in 2016, wants to end traditional home phone service (landlines) in its service territory—but consumer advocates…...
AARP, IL PIRG, CUB Launch Save Our Service (SOS) Campaign
Today, AARP, the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and CUB joined forces to launch the Save Our Service (SOS) campaign to block AT&T-backed legislation that would hang up on Illinois’ most vulnerable phone customers. Consumer advocates urged Illinoisans to visit SaveOurPhoneService.com to send messages to the General Assembly against AT&T’s deregulation…...
Sign CUB’s Pledge: Defend Efficiency
In the past, we’ve alerted you about White House budget plans that would eliminate strong energy efficiency programs like Energy Star, which since its beginning in 1992 has saved residential and business customers more than $360 billion dollars on their utility bills. That’s why this Earth Month (April), it’s so…...
Outreach team notches $18,376 in consumer savings in first-quarter
Members of CUB’s legal and policy teams aren’t the only ones helping Illinois consumers save money this year. According to CUB records, the outreach department—which holds money-saving events across Illinois—showed consumers how to cut their utility bills by roughly $18,375.72. The nine-member team spends most of its time out in…...
The day in the life of a CUB outreach staffer…
By Annabelle Roser As solar energy becomes more accessible to everyday consumers, the financial incentives of owning solar panels can be hard to pass up. The benefits of subsidizing or eliminating your energy bills through net-metering can be especially enticing to retirees or those on fixed incomes. Recently, I met…...
Like music to her ears : CUB helps violin instructor slash phone bill by $81
Imelda Kaminski, a violin instructor who’s been playing the instrument for 60 years, depended on her home phone service even more after her husband underwent spinal surgery—with all the calls to family, friends and doctors. Her husband’s recovery was her only concern until her AT&T bill arrived. It had soared…...
Show some love for landlines
The largest provider of telephone service in America will break the hearts of millions of Illinoisans if its plan to kill traditional home phone service is approved by state legislators. This year the Illinois Telecommunications Act—important legislation that protects consumer rights—is up for review, and AT&T wants its dismantled. The…...
Stop: The “Raise Our Utility Bills Act”
New legislation was introduced in Washington this month that would kill efficiency standards and potentially hit Americans with billions of dollars in higher utility costs. H.R. 117 is called the “Energy Efficiency Free Market Act of 2017,” but a better name would be the “Raise Our Utility Bills Act.” The…...
