CUB is asking Ameren customers to tell the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to oppose excessive Ameren rate hikes. This year, Ameren announced significant drops in its rates due to a decrease in the corporate tax rate on the delivery side of the bill and a drop in market electricity prices. Good…...
CUB, suburban leaders urge Gov. Rauner to veto HB 4508
Suburban Chicago leaders and the state’s top consumer watchdog group on Monday urged Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto a bill that will give special treatment to Illinois’ most powerful private water companies, making it easier for them to buy municipal water systems and slap their customers with higher rates. At…...
Electric vehicles taking Chicagoans to O’Hare in 12 minutes
Can Chicago-area residents cut down their airport travel time to a measly 12 minutes? That may soon be a reality according to Tesla creator and super-entrepreneur Elon Musk. Musk met with Mayor Rahm Emanuel last week to discuss plans of a high-speed electric vehicle (EV) system that could take travelers…...
Generous CUB supporters are matching your donations
This week, some generous CUB supporters are matching your donations. So giving $10 is more like giving $20! Two major cases could raise our electric bills: The White House is considering an unprecedented 2-year bailout of failing coal plants—a drastic move that could cost consumers billions of dollars. Giant power…...
Solar job training in Marion, IL
Thanks to the Future Energy Jobs Act, solar job training is thriving in Marion, Illinois. Partnering with Elevate Energy, GRID Alternatives, Another Energizing Solar Installation and Advanced Energy Solutions, Williamson County’s Habitat for Humanity recruited 10 trainees from Lutheran Social Services to get a head start on some of the…...
Tell big TV companies: Be truthful with your customers!
Big companies like AT&T and Comcast like to jack up our TV/internet bills by slapping us with sneaky fees. These add-ons have official-sounding names like “regional sports fee” or “broadcast TV surcharge,” but don’t be fooled: These are NOT government charges! These company-imposed fees allow big corporations to hide the true…...
Eco-friendly green gadgets for summer
As we ease into summer, the warm months ahead are a great opportunity to incorporate some “cool” eco-friendly items into your routine. Here are some green gadgets that will sustain you–and the environment–all summer. Smartphone sprinkler systems The Green IQ Smart Sprinkler allows you to control how your lawn is…...
