(800) 669-5556

Blog

Want to win a smart thermostat?

By Anairis Boror, CUB Outreach Assistant As the CUB staffer who helps plan hundreds of money-saving events, I know Illinoisans are hungry for ways to cut their utility bills (especially since the federal government says winter energy costs are up). That’s why today I’m happy to announce CUB’s Winter Giveaway during…...

Read more

Keeping your home comfortable without breaking the bank

Follow these winter tips to save energy and money. Don’t jack up your thermostat. The Department of Energy recommends keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees while you’re awake and at home. But when you’re asleep or away, you can turn it lower. Our friends at the Citizens Utility Board in Minnesota,…...

Read more

Free CUB guide: Protect yourself from online crooks

NOTICE: CUB’s newest publication is Internet Privacy: A Guide to Protecting Yourself Online. (You may have heard WBBM radio report on the guide over the holidays.) If you’ve read the guide, please tell us what you think. We like to hear your comments so we can improve our library of…...

Read more

The new tax law and your utility bills

We want to update you on an issue that’s important to your utility bills — and let you take action. You’ve seen the headlines about a change in federal tax law that led to a reduction in the corporate tax rate. But did you know that should lower your 2018…...

Read more

The latest weapon in the fight to save net neutrality…..the Whopper?

Burger King, of all businesses, has come out with a brilliant video in support of net neutrality. Using its celebrated Whopper, the fast food giant memorably shows what life might be like without the internet consumer protections the Federal Communications Commission axed in December. It’s a great bit of storytelling…...

Read more

CUB Advocacy Item: Tell White House its tariff is bad for solar, bad for consumers

The White House this week announced a 30% tariff on imported solar panels. The tariff reportedly will decrease by 5% over a four-year span, ending at 15% in 2022. This decision will needlessly raise the cost of solar panels, which could stall or kill solar projects that help stabilize the…...

Read more

How high are electric bills? Way too high!

Last week, we sent consumers the new electric rates for 2018 (for ComEd and Ameren) and asked them a simple question: Tell us what you think of your electricity bills–are they too high? Here are some of the answers: “Way too high.” -Lewis J. “Seems ComEd gets a charge raising the…...

Read more

New 2018 electric rates

It’s a new year and ComEd and Ameren have new electric rates. Part of our mission is to keep people informed about their utility bills, so we want to make sure you know what you’re paying....

Read more

Yes, this is GOOD news out of Washington

Good news! The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) made headlines this week after unanimously rejecting a plan that would have given extra money to coal and nuclear plants and could have increased electricity costs by up to $11 billion a year. Energy Secretary Rick Perry argued his plan would have…...

Read more

ComEd aims to reduce bills by $2/$3 per month

ComEd has announced plans to pass along to its customers about $200 million in savings from the new federal tax law. ComEd says the move, which requires Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approval, would decrease monthly bills for the average customer by about $2 to $3 per month. Crain’s Chicago Business points…...

Read more