By Bryan McDaniel CUB Director of Governmental Affairs I want to share my experience at a recent CUB utility bill clinic. It underscores why we’re so grateful for your support against rip offs and more than $8 billion in higher rates: When I’m not in Springfield working for pro-consumer legislation,…...
Watch your wallet: Electric/gas scammers prey on Illinois consumers
Be on high alert if someone approaches you with a utility “discount” that’s too good to be true: CUB is constantly getting complaints about alternative electric and gas suppliers using predatory sales tactics. Most customers in Illinois can choose a company other than the regulated utility to be their electric…...
Beware bad gas deals
With federal predictions that we could pay the lowest winter heating bills in more than a decade, be careful to avoid bad gas deals peddled by alternative suppliers. For roughly 15 years, Northern Illinois consumers have been able to choose another company to supply their natural gas–other than the regulated utilities, North…...
A ‘greener’ take on this year’s holiday gift giving
By Samantha Vercellino Gift shopping can be stressful, especially when the holiday is right around the corner. But don’t fret; we’ve put together a list of our five favorite “green” gifts of 2015! Smart Crock-Pot: Unlike most slow cookers, the Smart Crock-Pot is Wi-Fi enabled which allows users to adjust its temperature…...
Breaking: Good news, bad news for Illinois consumers
After a busy day at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), ComEd customers received news that their rates are dropping by $66.5 million–but Ameren gas and electric customers got hit with a total of $150 million in rate hikes. Read CUB’s statements on the ComEd and Ameren decisions. In both cases…...
Gas Market Monitor: 9/10 alternative supplier offers have been money-losers
CUB’s free online tool, the Gas Market Monitor, has some startling findings about Northern Illinois’ natural gas market: 9 of 10 plans offered by unregulated suppliers have been money-losers since 2003. CUB announced the numbers in a news conference today to give Northern Illinois households a warning as they prepare for another long…...
How to be an energy-efficient pet owner
By Samantha Vercellino We love our pets—so much that we celebrate 115 pet awareness events throughout the year! (Don’t believe me? Check for yourself.) But living with a furry, feathery or scaly sidekick can make it a real challenge to be energy efficient. Follow these simple actions to make sure…...
Money-saving tips to EAT up
By Samantha Vercellino As the days get shorter and colder, chances are we’ll be spending more time inside—and cooking. But before hitting the kitchen, look at these tips to ensure maximum savings during the festive-but-frigid months ahead. Plan accordingly. You don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen to…...
Crain’s Chicago Business: Did Peoples Gas lie?
A new auditor’s report shows that Peoples Gas knew the estimated cost for a disastrous pipeline replacement project had spiked to $8 billion…but the company kept that detail close to the vest as it sought approval for a lucrative merger, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. In June, Wisconsin Energy won Illinois Commerce…...
