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Alternative suppliers

Is this electric pitch legit? CUB breaks it down

Members of CUB’s consumer advocacy department (CAD) take thousands of inquiries each year, so  they’ve heard all about the crazy pitches consumers receive from alternative electric suppliers. Last week, Sandra Marcelin-Reme—a veteran of the department—shared one consumer complaint that shows the type of trickery consumers are up against. Take a look at the…...

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What should you ask when considering an alternative electric supplier?

If you’re looking into signing up with an alternative electric supplier, make sure to look at this checklist before you put your name on the dotted line. For more information, including a complete list of current alternative supplier rates, get CUB’s no-cost “Guide to Avoiding Electric Rip-offs” emailed to you....

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Fight electric price-gouging: Support HB 3038

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) needs your help urging state legislators to pass a bill that shady electric suppliers don’t want. This bill combats a major problem in Illinois: electricity suppliers that price-gouge customers with bad deals. (We’ve seen customers paying up to five times the utility rate—sad.) The bill,…...

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CUB featured on CBS 2

CUB was featured on Chicago’s CBS 2 last night warning consumers in ComEd territory that they could see a marketing barrage from alternative electricity suppliers over the next year. The consumer watchdog told reporter Dorothy Tucker that more than 100 communities have contracts with alternative electricity suppliers expiring over the next six…...

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Gas prices are up–but don’t fall for these myths

Chicago-area natural gas prices this month are up 41-51 percent compared with last February–but don’t assume you’ll find better deals with an unregulated gas supplier. The most notable February increase is for Nicor Gas customers, who will see a 52 percent jump since last year, from 27 cents per therm to 41 cents…...

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New electric rates for ComEd customers

With the new year comes new electric rates for Illinoisans. The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a $127.5 million ComEd delivery rate hike. The 5 percent increase took effect Jan. 1 and is expected to raise average bills (660 kilowatt-hours a month) by $2. CUB is challenging the rate hike…...

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Are you on a community power deal?

CUB has sent out a special report about community power deals: Make sure you’re paying the lowest electricity rate possible! We customized this report for Northern Illinois consumers and people who live in Central/Southern Illinois....

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Checklist: What Everyone Should Know About Municipal Aggregation

What price is the supplier offering and how does it compare with the utility’s price? While it is a basic question, it is the key question for consumers: Will I save money with municipal aggregation? Ask community leaders to be clear about the price being offered and match it up…...

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Does your community have a power deal?

Illinois law allows municipalities and counties to purchase electricity on behalf of residential and small-business utility customers living within their borders. This is called municipal aggregation. This is a list of about 600 community power deals in Illinois, according to PlugInIllinois.0rg, the state of Illinois’ electricity choice website. (Communities are…...

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Retiree saves hundreds, thanks to CUB Voice, Consumer Hotline

After reading CUB’s quarterly publication The CUB Voice, Stillman Valley resident Terry Temple realized he was paying way too much for his electric and gas service, and he did something about it. The retired marketing director for GE Aviation Systems came upon a full-page article headlined “Paying too much for…...

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