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The alternative supplier said what????

A former CUB co-worker relayed this bizarre, fraudulent phone pitch he received from an alternative supplier–we’ll call the company “ACME IL Electricity.” This is a good example of the kinds of reports we get every week from Illinois consumers. My notes are in red. Alternative Supplier: “I’m calling from (ACME IL…...

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Sign FCC petition: Unlock the box!

The next time you look at the cable box on top of your TV remember this fun fact: Big Cable charges us $20 billion a year for those clunky boxes. Aren’t our bills high enough without big cable companies forcing us to pay $200+ a year in rental fees? Now there’s been a…...

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Winners of CUB’s giveaway take home smart thermostats

Congratulations to Thomas, of Walnut, and Richard, of Mount Prospect, on winning CUB’s smart thermostat giveaway. The two lucky winners beat out more than 2,000 other participants to take home the free, money-saving devices valued at about $250. For Thomas, who is in the process of moving to Putnam, winning the smart thermostat means he can…...

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Support SB 2881: Because grandma shouldn’t be price-gouged

How do you tell a grandmother that her light bill is double what it should be. Almost every day, CUB has to break it to somebody somewhere: You’re being price-gouged by an unregulated electric supplier. (One consumer on a fixed income was tricked into paying 140 percent more to keep…...

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Results of quick poll on Exelon Bill

Nearly 1,900 people responded to our informal survey about a push by Illinois’ biggest energy company, ComEd-parent Exelon, to raise electric bills by up to $1.6 billion–and eight out of 10 said NO to the idea. Exelon says keeping its nuclear plants open will fight climate change—and they need economic help. Opponents…...

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Get ready for summer with this money-saving checklist

Use this simple checklist to get your home ready for summer: 1) Dust off the grill: Grills keep heat out of the kitchen, meaning air conditioners don’t have to work harder to cool it off. 2) Schedule a check-up: An HVAC technician should check your heating and cooling equipment. Should…...

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Nuclear bailout in Illinois? Take our poll!

Exelon Corp., Illinois’ largest energy company, says keeping its nuclear plants open will fight climate change—and they need economic help. Opponents say Exelon just wants bigger profits. What do you think? Should Illinois give unprofitable nuclear plants more money if it helps fight climate change? Take our quick poll!   ...

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7 tips for better cable/Internet customer service

Calling your cable/Internet company can be a nightmare: Endless menu options, long wait times, and frustrating negotiations with representatives. Before you tear out your hair, follow CUB’s tips to ensure a smooth customer service call. 1.) Advocate for yourself Cable/Internet is one of the few industries where the longer you are a…...

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A horrible bill in Washington

Can you believe this? Some members of Congress seem to want consumers to stop complaining about Internet service. H.R. 2666, also known as the “No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act,” could forbid the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from acting on customer complaints about billing errors, data caps, overage…...

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Control your data = see savings!

As smart meters roll out across the country, we stand on the horizon of a bright and innovative energy future.  Part of the smart grid’s benefits are systemic: stronger grid resiliency, increased reliability, fewer outages, decreased peak energy load, and lower utility operating costs. But benefits also accrue to the individual customer—and that…...

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