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Consumer Advocacy

Top consumer battles of 2022

2021 was a year of rate hike battles and the fight to pass the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act. In the new year, we plan to staff hundreds of free events, and handle more than one thousand inquiries from Illinois consumers with complaints or questions about their utility service–and we…...

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CUB secures $411 refund for Chicago consumer with mixed meter issue

If you’ve ever called CUB, there’s a good chance you’ve spoken to Jantay Gray, one of the outstanding advocates who staff our Consumer Hotline (1-800-669-5556). Earlier this year, Jantay secured a $411 refund for Nicoletta, a Chicago consumer who submitted a complaint about a ComEd billing issue. “Last year, I…...

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CUB’s to-do list: $414 million in rate-hike battles

With new ComEd and Ameren Illinois rate-hike requests on the table, CUB’s legal team is now challenging $414.1 million in higher rates before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). (Send a message urging the ICC to say NO to the electric rate hikes!) Here’s a summary of all our battles: ICC…...

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CUB’s Consumer Agenda for 2021

Report from David Kolata, CUB executive director Happy New Year, everyone. I thank you for your support of CUB and your interest in working for lower utility bills and cleaner energy. As we look ahead to 2021, I want to give you a report on the major challenges facing Illinois…...

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Three Important Steps To Keep from Getting Your Utility Service Cut Off During the Pandemic

If you’re struggling to pay your utility bills during this public health crisis, CUB has some guidance on what steps to take. 1) Call Your Utility: As the utility company is the entity issuing the bill and the only entity with access to your account, your first call—no matter the…...

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CUB helps protect Verizon customer from $250 hassle

Donald had been with Verizon for almost 20 years, and he had never missed a payment. But the 82-year-old Bartonville retiree had no idea that getting a new phone would lead to a months-long hassle and Verizon slapping him with a $250 fee. That’s why he called CUB.  Donald, who…...

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CUB alert: People struggling to pay utility bills should call their utilities to take advantage of landmark consumer protections

CUB urges Illinois consumers having difficulty paying their utility bills during the pandemic to contact their utility companies to take advantage of unprecedented consumer protections available to them. “Anybody struggling to pay their bills during the pandemic should immediately contact their utility to find out what protections are available, and…...

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CUB services helping consumers cut their utility bills $26/month

CUB services have saved participants an average of about $26 a month on their utility bills, according to a staff review.   COVID-19 may have brought CUB’s in-person events to a halt, but that hasn’t stopped CUB’s outreach team from working hard to serve consumers through online events and services. Along…...

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CUB staffer secures $4,800 refund from alternative supplier

If you’ve ever called CUB, there’s a good chance you’ve spoken to Jantay Gray, the woman who often answers our Consumer Hotline (1-800-669-5556). Jan is one of many outstanding consumer advocates on staff. This year, Sandra Marcelin-Reme, CUB’s director of consumer advocacy, sent the staff an email that exclaimed “WAY…...

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CUB’s online service captures “remarkable savings” for CUB member

CUB staffers have been working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped our outreach team from connecting with consumers and helping them save money on their bills. CUB member Don will save about $50 a month after his gas and electric bills were analyzed by CUB’s…...

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