As of Jan. 1, the electric rates for both Ameren and ComEd customers have changed. For Ameren electric customers, rates have dropped about $14.5 million. However, CUB believes customers deserve an even bigger cut: a total of $22 million. That’s why the watchdog filed a petition of rehearing with the…...
Cut TV costs with CUB’s free guide
On Tuesday morning, CUB held a news conference to release a first-ever guide to help Illinois consumers cut their TV bills. You can receive a copy of CUB’s Guide to Cutting Your TV Costs—which includes information for both “cord shavers” and “cord cutters”— by visiting www.CUBCableCenter.com. (While you’re there, remember…...
General Assembly passes historic energy efficiency standards
On the last day of the General Assembly’s veto session, legislators passed Senate Bill 2814, a measure that will spark lower utility bills by establishing historic energy efficiency standards for Illinois’ biggest electric utilities. On Thursday evening, the Illinois House passed the measure, also called the “Future Energy Jobs Bill,” 63-38,…...
Statement by CUB Executive Director David Kolata on passage of SB 2814
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is pleased that the Illinois General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 2814, the Future Energy Jobs Bill, and that Gov. Bruce Rauner has now signed the legislation. This is a good day for Illinois electric customers because with this legislation the state’s biggest energy companies…...
Donations Doubled!
This week, a generous CUB supporter has agreed to match donations, which makes it the perfect time to give. Your contribution—whatever you can afford— will help fund our lawyers, consumer advocates, and money-saving events and publications needed to fight rip-offs across the state. Besides rip-offs, we’re also up against a…...
Big ICC ruling for electric shoppers
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) took a big step in improving the power market, proposing new rules to protect consumers against misleading marketing. CUB and other consumer advocates applaud the new rules. For about two years, we have been calling for tougher rules to prevent misleading and confusing marketing by…...
South suburban mom scores smart thermostat
Saving energy and money have always been top priorities for Anam El-Jabli and her family. But the purchase of a new air conditioner last year made it hard for them to afford other appliances. Then the stay-at-home mom read about CUB’s Smart Thermostat Giveaway in the group’s weekly e-newsletter. “I’m an active follower…...
Act now! Fight irritating, illegal robocalls
Today, CUB asked Illinois consumers to sign a petition to fight illegal “robocalls.” It’s the perfect time to take action, now that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler has urged big phone companies to give customers free technology to block these computer-generated telemarketing calls. We’re all annoyed by these…...