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Tele-frustrating! Illinois tops nation in telemarketing complaints

A decade after the federal government created the Do Not Call list to combat telemarketing calls, Illinois has the nation’s worst complaint rate for people who are on the list but still get annoying phone pitches, USA Today reports. Tuesday’s report was just the latest development this week in Illinois’…...

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Land of Lincoln an energy leader

If you’ve ever driven the vast expanse between Chicago and Cairo—past nuclear power plants, corn fields, giant wind turbines, coal mines and oil wells—it’s not hard to believe that Illinois is an energy leader in the U.S. But just how much energy does the Land of Lincoln produce? Here’s how…...

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Governor signs ban on cellphone use while driving

Talkers take note: Starting in January you’ll have to pull to the side of the road before you pick up your cellphone—or face a heavy fine. Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill into law on Aug. 16 that bans using a handheld cellphone for any purpose while driving. Chicago and…...

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Local Phone Cost-cutter analyzes 50,000th bill!

CUB is celebrating a milestone this week: Our free online service, the Local Phone Cost-Cutter, just analyzed its 50,000th phone bill. That means the tool has shown Illinois consumers how to cut their AT&T local phone bills by $9.9 million per year—definitely a reason to celebrate! The Local Phone Cost-Cutter, created…...

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Top energy myths, debunked

Looking to save money on your energy bill? Don’t believe everything you hear. CUB debunked some of the top myths when it comes to cutting your power bill: You should leave your appliances on when you’re not home so they won’t have to work as hard when you return. Although…...

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The Top 10 Best “Energy Songs” Ever

CUB just wrapped up a month-long contest asking consumers to submit and vote for the best energy-related song of all time. Although Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” ran away with it, there were dozens of great entries. Here are our top ten: [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_BRv9wGf5pk] 1. Snap – I’ve Got The Power. An important reminder that…...

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And the award for best energy song goes to…

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vtPk5IUbdH0] Electric Avenue, the 1982 hit by reggae artist Eddy Grant, has been voted the best energy song of all time by Illinois consumers. CUB’s month-long contest asked music-lovers and energy nerds alike to submit their favorite energy-themed song on Facebook for a chance to win a month of free…...

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A great opportunity to cut your utility bills

Good news for Nicor and ComEd customers–through the end of August, you can get a home energy audit for just $49! The home energy assessments, which normally cost $99 through the joint Nicor/ComEd Home Energy Savings program, provide services which could cost up to $500 elsewhere. The program provides an…...

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Where does your electricity come from?

When you flip on a ceiling fan or hit the power button on your TV remote, do you have ANY idea where that energy comes from? On any given day, it’s impossible to know exactly what power source—coal, nuclear, wind, etc.—is generating the electrons flowing into your home. But you…...

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Don’t put it in a drawer! What to do with your old cellphone

                          It turns out you aren’t the only one with an old cellphone—or cellphones—sitting in a drawer somewhere. According to the EPA, only 10 percent of cellphones are recycled or reused today. We asked our Facebook fans for suggestions on what…...

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