By Eric DeBellis CUB General Counsel As usual, we’re busy juggling a heavy caseload before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) concerning the state’s biggest utilities: ComEd, Ameren, Peoples Gas, Illinois American and Aqua Illinois. Here’s a summary of where we’re at: Electric Cases Background: Back in December, the ICC slashed…...
CUB challenges new (and old) rate hikes in 2024: Help us fight them!
CUB’s 40th anniversary is going to be another tough year, as consumers face two new water rate hikes and major utilities unhappy with last year’s pro-consumer Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) rulings have launched legal challenges. Here’s how you can get involved. New Rate Hike: Aqua Illinois Rate Hike (ICC Docket #…...
Casework roundup: In 40th year, CUB fights old and new rate hikes
CUB’s 40th anniversary is turning out to be another tough year, as we fight old and new rate hikes. Major electric and gas utilities were not pleased with Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) rulings issued late last year–and all of them launched legal challenges to the decisions. Plus we’ve got breaking…...
Mid-year Report, by Sarah Moskowitz, CUB Executive Director
It’s been a historic year so far, with Illinois utilities pushing for a record $2.9 billion in higher rates and a major transition at the Citizens Utility Board (CUB). Check out my mid-year report–and please consider a small contribution to support the work for clean, affordable energy. Summary: Major change…...
CUB’s Daily Herald Op-Ed: Private Water, Big Headaches
CUB Director of Governmental Affairs Bryan McDaniel recently penned an op-ed in the Daily Herald responding to Lake County’s water outage with private water utility Aqua Illinois: The recent Aqua Illinois water outage/boil order in Lake County is further evidence that private corporate monopolies are not the answer to our…...
ICC grants Illinois American Water $85M rate hike (CUB helped cut increase by $14M)
Illinois American Water, the largest private water company in the state, has increased rates by about $85.4 million. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) on Dec. 15 granted Illinois American the increase after an 11-month rate case. The water company had requested a $100 million rate hike last July. “While we’re…...
Advocates push for cutting $18.8 million off Illinois American Water rate-hike request
CUB argues that Illinois’ biggest private water company is pushing for an exorbitant profit rate for its shareholders, and its $100 million rate-hike request should be reduced by nearly 20 percent. The consumer watchdog group co-sponsored testimony from Christopher Walters, an expert on water regulatory issues with Brubaker & Associates,…...
CUB Q&A: Illinois American Water’s rate-hike request
What happened? In February, Illinois American Water filed for a $87.4 million increase in rates before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). How much will this cost customers? The rate hike includes a $65.7 million, or 27 percent, increase in water service rates and a $21.7 million, or 59 percent, increase in…...
