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Alternative suppliers

BREAKING: We have a match!

This week a group of generous CUB supporters is matching donations up to a total of $1,500.  That’s great news, because we need all the help we can get when it comes to battling these giants. A $25 donation is like giving $50 – but for this week only!...

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We’ve seen too many rip-offs like this

Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs, gave this report after a recent utility bill clinic in Elgin: Last night I sat down with a nice woman by the name of “Paige.” Paige does not have her own car and someone gave her a ride to the event. She had…...

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Watch your wallet: Electric/gas scammers prey on Illinois consumers

Be on high alert if someone approaches you with a utility “discount” that’s too good to be true: CUB is constantly getting complaints about alternative electric and gas suppliers using predatory sales tactics. Most customers in Illinois can choose a company other than the regulated utility to be their electric…...

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How do I know if I’m with an alternative supplier?

If your electric or natural gas bill skyrockets unexpectedly, you may have inadvertently signed up with an alternative supplier. You should know where to look on your bill to determine if you’re with an alternative supplier. For more information, get CUB’s “Guide to Avoiding Electric Rip-offs” and “Guide to Avoiding…...

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CUB statement on new consumer protections for IL electric customers

  Statement:  Although we disagree with efforts by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to weaken certain consumer protections, the new rules are a step in the right direction to protect Illinois consumers from misleading marketing by alternative power suppliers. You can’t have a healthy electricity market without strong consumer…...

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What companies have the highest power prices in Illinois?

Ivonne Ortiz, CUB’s Environmental Outreach Coordinator, researches the prices offered by Illinois’ alternative electricity suppliers each week, and she has some significant updates for you: Supplier sued. State Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit against Sperian Energy, seeking to bar the supplier from the Illinois market. The attorney general’s lawsuit…...

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New state report: $340 million in consumer losses with alternative suppliers

More than 1 in 5 Northern Illinois electric customers are signed up to get their electric supply from a company other than Commonwealth Edison, and many are paying more than they need to. A recent report shows that over the last year households using alternative suppliers paid a total of…...

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Join the fight for stronger electric consumer protections in Illinois

We’ve got breaking news: Unregulated electricity suppliers may launch a summer lobbying campaign to weaken new consumer protections soon to be considered by state lawmakers. We need you to take action. Just days ago, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) took the positive step of approving new rules designed to help…...

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ICC approves new rules to protect electric shoppers

CUB commended the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), led by Chairman Brien Sheahan, for advancing new rules designed to help electric customers avoid bad deals from alternative electric suppliers. “We believe a healthy competitive electric market always makes consumer protections a priority,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said in a statement. “These…...

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Urgent: Stop bad power deals

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…...

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