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Bring Back Consumer Choice Plans: Support HB 3689

As part of CUB’s 2023 legislative agenda, the watchdog is working on House Bill 3689 to require AT&T once again to offer the Consumer’s Choice plans as an affordable landline option to consumers.  The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Mussman, needs your support. Sign CUB’s HB 3689 petition to…...

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The dos and don’ts of robocalls

Do you get several calls a day from “Scam Likely?” That probably means your number is targeted by robocalls–prerecorded messages from computer generated dialers.  Robocalls are irritating, costly, and often illegal. In fact, the call blocking app TrueCaller found that consumers had already lost nearly $30 billion in the first…...

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CUB releases new guide to help Illinois consumers shop phone market

The Citizens Utility Board announced that it has released a new “Guide to Phone Choices” to help Illinois consumers navigate their options in the telecom market. Visit CitizensUtilityBoard.org to order a free copy of the 16-page publication, which includes information about selecting cellphone, landline and VoIP service. The phone landscape…...

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6 reasons AT&T’s legislation should make you MAD

1) Utilities get an exemption: The legislation contains a four- to five-year exemption for key customers, such as utilities. It proves copper landlines still play a key role—and it also begs the question: If it’s so important to protect landline service for those customers, then why not for the millions…...

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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…...

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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…...

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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…...

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Saved from a high phone bill, retiree says: ‘Illinois consumers need CUB’

By Samantha Vercellino Last October, Chicago retiree Cassandra packed her bags and moved across town to the West Side of the city. She welcomed the change in scenery until she found out a new address also meant she had to switch to pricey digital phone service. Before the move, she…...

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Spread the word: It’s Lifeline Awareness Week!

By Samantha Vercellino It’s hard for many of us to imagine not being able to dial a friend, text mom or schedule a work event in our mobile calendars. Phone service has become so intertwined with our daily lives that we forget too many people can’t afford even basic telephone service, and thus…...

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Hurry! Last chance to sign up for great IL phone deal

Consumer advocates are urging AT&T landline customers to sign up for one of the state’s best local phone deals before time runs out. The low cost Consumer’s Choice plans –which were created by CUB under a legal settlement with the phone giant in 2006—will soon no longer be offered to…...

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