A $128.8 million gas rate hike proposed by Ameren Illinois would shrink by about one-third, under a recommendation pending before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). But consumer advocates said Thursday that state regulators should cut much deeper when they issue a final ruling on the threat of another stinging increase in heating bills that comes as Ameren profits have been booming. [Sign CUB’s petition against the Ameren rate hike.] Gas affordability has become such a concern that on...| Citizens Utility Board
CLAIM: You can get free solar panels installed on your roof! FACT: Some companies offer solar panel installation for no money down, but it’s not free—customers will be renting the panels monthly for the term of the lease (usually 15+ years). CUB RECOMMENDS: Explore your options. While leasing may make sense for some homeowners, buying your solar system outright could end up being more cost-effective. Consumers tell CUB that sales people have knocked on their door and pitched solar...| Citizens Utility Board
A recommendation pending before state regulators would shave a record-setting rate hike proposal now looming over 2.3 million Nicor Gas customers by more than $100 million, or about one-third, but consumer advocates say there is more fat to trim from the prosperous utility’s bid for a bloated increase in heating bills. On Monday, administrative law judges for the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) published an opinion prescribing a $109.8 million reduction in Nicor’s proposed $314.2 milli...| Citizens Utility Board
CUB’s Outreach team travels across the state to staff free events giving consumers energy efficiency tips for their home, educating them on how clean energy can cut their utility bills and helping people protect themselves from scams and rip-offs. Now in the winter heating season, CUB can help you learn how to make your home more efficient. We hope to see you at an event soon! 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, Homeowner Energy-Saving Workshop (in-person) Join the Citizens Utility...| Citizens Utility Board
Gas prices for six of Illinois’ 9 major utilities are elevated, compared with a year ago, led by Liberty Utilities, which is charging a supply price that is about 154 percent higher; Nicor Gas, with a price about 39 percent higher, and MidAmerican Energy, which is charging a price that is about 32 percent higher; according to CUB’s review of October gas prices. Gas prices have been on the rise, with colder-than-normal weather last winter and record gas exports (meaning profit-hungry com...| Citizens Utility Board
After an expensive summer, Commonwealth Edison’s new supply price has dropped slightly but is still about 47 percent higher than last year, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Wednesday. Even though ComEd’s price is elevated, the watchdog urged consumers to review the “Supply” section of their bills to confirm they are not overpaying with an expensive alternative supplier offer, including offers negotiated by local governments. ComEd’s new non-summer power price (from October 202...| Citizens Utility Board
After a hot, expensive summer, Ameren Illinois’ new price for electricity has dropped by more than 30 percent as of Oct. 1, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said in a consumer alert Wednesday. The watchdog urged consumers to review the “Electric Supply” section of their bills to confirm they are not overpaying with an expensive alternative supplier offer, including supplier offers negotiated by local governments. Ameren’s new non-summer power price (from October 2025 through May 2026...| Citizens Utility Board
Amid an electricity price spike sparked by unprecedented power demand, CUB joined other advocates to urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act (SB25) in the October veto session. The legislation would implement a number of reforms to help reduce power prices and lower consumers’ utility bills in the long run. “Illinoisans are hurting from electricity price spikes – we call on state leaders to act and protect consumers by getting the ...| Citizens Utility Board
Far too many people are struggling to afford their utility bills, so it’s important to know the process for applying for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the LIHEAP application period is October 1, 2025, to August 15, 2026, or until funding is exhausted. Beginning Oct. 1, these eligible households can apply: Older adults (age 60 and older); individuals with a disability; households wit...| Citizens Utility Board
In late 2024, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved a low-income discount rate (LIDR) for eligible customers of Illinois’ private water companies, Aqua Illinois and Illinois American Water. The program was launched in July of 2025. Who qualifies for the LIDR? To be considered for the low-income discount rate program… Aqua Illinois customers must have a pre-tax, household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL, also called the Federal Poverty Income Gui...| Citizens Utility Board
There’s been a lot of buzz about the impact of data centers on electricity demand–CUB Illinois Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz recently spoke at length about it on a Chicago radio station. This Q&A attempts to get through the hype and give Illinois consumers some facts. What are data centers? A data center is a facility that houses computer systems used for storing, processing and distributing data. A growing number of these facilities are used to power artificial intelligence. A r...| Citizens Utility Board
By Clara Summers Manager, CUB’s Consumers for a Better Grid Campaign You may have seen a flurry of news about electric bill increases due to something called a “capacity auction.” Or worse, you opened your June ComEd bill and saw a sharp uptick. You can learn more about PJM’s capacity market and this year’s price spike in our previous blog, and by visiting our Help Center. Sadly, there’s more bad news. Prices are going up yet again–next June. Let’s break it down. So what...| Citizens Utility Board
CUB’s Outreach team travels across the state to staff free events giving consumers energy efficiency tips for their home, educating them on how clean energy can cut their utility bills and helping people protect themselves from scams and rip-offs. As the hot summer drags on, CUB can help you learn how to make your home more efficient. We hope to see you at an event soon! 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, Go Green LaGrange’s 2nd Annual Sustainable Summer Expo (in-person) Go Gre...| Citizens Utility Board
