When Delores met James, a salesman from Illinois Gas & Electric, she says she was a bit confused by his offer, but he insisted it was a good deal. She wanted to take notes, but James never gave her pen back after borrowing it to write on her bill. And what…...
Breaking: New electricity prices
Did you know your utility’s electricity rate is changing on October 1? Read “5 Facts about ComEd’s New Rate” and we’ll send you CUB’s fact sheet on avoiding rip-offs from alternative electric suppliers. Ameren customers, read “5 Facts about Ameren’s New Rate” and we’ll also send you CUB’s fact sheet on avoiding rip-offs from alternative…...
So what does that Energy Star sticker mean?
The Energy Star program, managed by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), identifies appliances that reach certain energy efficiency standards. That means they are designed to perform just as well as standard appliances, while also saving you money. How do I identify an appliance that…...
CUB General Counsel Report by Julie Soderna
CUB Executive Director David Kolata has asked me to prepare a General Counsel’s Report to outline for our most generous supporters the work we’ve been doing in 2018: Senior Attorney Kelly Turner and I are pleased that so far this year we’ve helped cut Nicor’s proposed rate hike by $115 million and…...
Keep Fido happy without breaking the bank
Pet owners love their animals and will do anything to keep them safe and healthy. But even in extreme temperatures, you don’t have to choose between keeping your pet comfortable and minimizing your energy costs. Charlie Charlie’s human: Deputy Director Kristin Use a programmable or smart thermostat. Don’t be afraid…...
CUB comes face-to-face with a sketchy alternative supplier
CUB warns consumers that alternative supplier plans can cost you a lot more than what you’d pay with your regulated utility. At a recent event, CUB’s Outreach Assistant Anairis Boror had an interesting encounter with people who seemed to be representing an alternative supplier. Anairis was working CUB’s table at…...
