As a Chicago renter who only uses natural gas to cook, I’ve often asked, “Why is my bill $50!?” I only use a few therms a month, and gas prices are in the neighborhood of 50 cents a therm—relatively low compared to past years. I’m hoping that’s about to change.…...
Win up to $900 of free electricity!
Presence Health is partnering with CUB in a contest encouraging Illinois consumers to go green and lower their utility bills. Here’s how it works: Community members and Presence Health employees can sign up for CUB Energy Saver—that’s CUB’s free bill-cutting service—as a member of any hospital’s energy-saving team. At the end of summer,…...
What’s the best “energy song” of all time?
[youtube=https://youtu.be/vtPk5IUbdH0] Ever hum “Electric Avenue” when you pay your power bill? Find yourself singing “The Power of Love” while programming your thermostat? Maybe the “Electric Slide” isn’t just reserved for wedding receptions, it’s what you do on the way to turn off a light bulb. If so, we’ve got a contest…...
Nicor customer refunds beginning this month
This month, Nicor Gas will begin issuing $72 million in refunds ordered by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) following a 10-year legal battle waged by CUB and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office. Nicor says the average homeowner will receive a total of about $30 paid out over the next 12…...
Demand better from Big Cable!
It’s easy to get frustrated scrolling through your cable TV lineup. First, there’s probably nothing on. Second, you’re likely paying good money for all of that nothing. A CUB survey on cable TV indicates more than 78 percent of consumers are frustrated with their cable provider—mostly because of pricing. Another 90 percent…...
What’s hidden in the fine print of your wireless contract?
How many of us are guilty of signing contracts or agreeing to terms and conditions without really looking into the fine print? Just last year, Carnegie Mellon researchers published a report showing that it would take the average Internet user 76 work days to weed through all the privacy policies…...
U.S. Cellular’s sale to Sprint: Three things you should know
As of May 17, U.S. Cellular finalized the sale of its Midwestern markets to Sprint, forcing many Illinois consumers to switch their cellphone service to another carrier. Both companies sent out information to current U.S. Cellular customers in the area, but it may be confusing or overwhelming. So we want…...
