The pandemic has been so hard on Illinois utility customers that it’s gained national attention. An economist discovered that close to 1 percent of all residences in Illinois were cut off for nonpayment in October 2020, according to an in-depth report by the Washington Post. Steve Cicala, an economist at…...
Washington Post: Nearly 1% of all Illinois residences were cut off for nonpayment in October 2020
In a special report from Peoria, Washington Post reporter Greg Jaffe uncovered grim statistics about shut-offs in that Central Illinois city. It indicates, as one researcher said, that our social safety net is in “grave need of repair.” Jaffe reports: As the pandemic dragged on month after month, hundreds struggled…...
Illinois consumers rally to pass CEJA: “A bill for Illinoisans historically and systematically shut out and forgotten”
Consumers from across the state gathered on Zoom and Facebook today for a virtual environmental justice lobby day in support of the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), comprehensive energy legislation currently before the Illinois General Assembly. The second virtual lobby day, today’s event saw Illinois residents meeting with their legislators…...
Ballooning bills, silent customer service: CUB joins ICC probe into three alternative suppliers
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is investigating three alternative suppliers–Realgy, Liberty Power and Switch Energy–after receiving hundreds of complaints from consumers about marketing techniques, unresponsive call centers and an unusual Realgy fee that has caused bills to skyrocket overnight. CUB’s legal team is intervening in the cases. These companies are…...
BREAKING: Ameren asks for a $64 million electric rate hike
Ameren has filed a $64 million rate-hike request before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here’s the statement by CUB Executive Director David Kolata: This is an awful time for a rate hike, as Illinois families struggle to pay their utility bills amid the COVID-19 public health crisis. Our legal team…...
BREAKING: CUB vows to fight ComEd’s $51 million rate-hike request
ComEd has announced it wants a $51 million rate hike. Below is CUB’s statement from Executive Director David Kolata. ComEd’s $51 million rate-hike request is bad timing, as an unprecedented number of consumers struggle to pay their utility bills during the pandemic. Our legal team will study ComEd’s rate-hike filing…...
Act now for affordable energy, broadband, water
As we fight to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) in Illinois, we’re also monitoring action in Washington. There’s a federal infrastructure plan that would secure clean, affordable energy and water, as well as reliable broadband service for all. The American Jobs Plan calls for $621 billion in road,…...
$2.3 trillion infrastructure package tackles internet access, EVs, grid modernization
The White House released its economic development strategy, a $2.3 trillion package that focuses on post-pandemic economic recovery, job development and infrastructure upgrades. Dubbed the American Jobs Plan, the proposal also includes key utility provisions, including a path to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. CUB breaks down some of…...
Consumer Alert: Natural gas prices to soar in April
Several major Illinois utilities are increasing their natural gas prices by about 40 percent to 69 percent on April 1, a lingering effect of February’s volatile winter weather that crippled the nation’s gas supply and caused massive blackouts in Texas. Last month, dangerously low temperatures and up to a foot of snow prompted Illinois Gov.…...
