The POWER Act would put commonsense guardrails on data centers so they don't cause our electric bills to skyrocket. CUB will be at this panel discussion at Aurora's Santori Public Library, 101 S River St, Aurora, 60506. This event is in-person & on Zoom: buff.ly/7xa6fqY

Today, members of the IL Clean Jobs Coalition delivered 600+ comments to ICC Chair Doug Scott urging that the final Future of Gas report prioritize an equitable transition to cleaner, more affordable heat. Thanks to Chair Scott and thanks to IL PIRG, GreenLatinos, Sierra Club IL & Faith in Place.

IL American Water wants a 4th rate hike--after winning $230M over the last decade. And its new $129M hike would jack up avg water bills by $10/month & wastewater bills by $23/month. Fed up? Go to the state regulatory forum 7 pm Sept. 16 in Bolingbrook: buff.ly/PjnpS5V

This summer, Illinois consumers paid 40-50% higher electricity prices, and a big reason is Big Tech Data centers aren't paying their fair share. We need to fix this. Tell Springfield to pass the POWER Act: buff.ly/r99hAvV Tell Washington to pass the Power for the People Act: buff.ly/KC1G1LR

One of the best FREE services CUB provides is our Utility Bill Clinics--and we're holding 2 this week! Bring your bills, and a CUB expert will review them for ways to save money. Read our events blog for more info about registering for the clinics: buff.ly/oFvsOwr

Wishing you all a meaningful Labor Day. We thank all the frontline utility workers who brave dangerous conditions to make sure we have essential services (lighting, heat, air conditioning, phone service, internet, etc.) We appreciate your skill and dedication. Please be safe!

ICYMI: CUB hit 20+ free events across Illinois in August—senior fairs, solar workshops, talks on cable & robocalls, and how data centers are raising our power bills. Thank you to everyone who attended! Check out our events in September: buff.ly/oFvsOwr

The CUB Office is closed for the holiday. We wish everyone a meaningful Labor Day. The Consumer Hotline will reopen 9 am, Tuesday, Sept. 8. If you have a complaint about a utility, it will be reviewed by CUB when the office reopens. CUB's complaint form: buff.ly/XQxGvI5

How hard did your electric bill hit you this summer? CUB wants to hear from Illinois consumers about rising electricity costs. Your story can help us fight for stronger consumer protections and reforms to make Big Tech data centers pay their fair share. Tell us: buff.ly/kgtqoVN

Giving states more power is one important way to improve accountability to the 67M+ customers across the PJM region. We’re glad to see Gov. JB Pritzker recognize the importance of strong state action in the push for meaningful PJM reform: buff.ly/lXsbUBB Thank you, @govpritzker.illinois.gov 👏

ComEd Peak Time Savings customers take note: Peak Time Savings hours are 6:30-9 TONIGHT! People in the program can earn bill credits by taking simple, safe energy efficiency actions. Learn more about the program here: buff.ly/5mdkrjd And here: buff.ly/Yzser9F

Gas prices are a mixed bag in Illinois this September. Consumers Gas customers saw the steepest jump — up ~89% from a year ago. Liberty Utilities is up ~41%. 6 of the state's 9 major utilities are charging more than last September. Full breakdown: www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2026/08...

CUB’s report on gas market volatility: September 2026 | Citizens Utility Board

Gas prices for six of Illinois’ 9 major utilities were up from a year ago, including Consumers Gas, which is charging a supply rate about 89 percent higher than last September and Liberty Utilities,…

citizensutilityboard.org

Matt from CUB is speaking tonight at a presentation in Elgin: Data Centers -- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He's speaking about the importance of passing the POWER Act to make Big Tech pay its fair share. Tell Springfield! buff.ly/g1ccLG0

That's a wrap on August—20+ free CUB events across Illinois! Thanks to everyone who stopped by. September events coming soon.

Data centers are driving up electricity costs for consumers and revenues for power plant owners. Learn what state leaders and PJM can do now to step up for consumers: www.RealSolutionsRisingBills.org

Don't assume your town's community power deal will save you money. Do your homework. A CUB analysis found that more than 9/10 community-negotiated power offers in Ameren IL territory were money-losers. (They fared better in ComEd territory.) Read more: buff.ly/1HWs8JQ

Last call — we're on TONIGHT, 6:30–8:30pm at Mt. Prospect Public Library (Room A), for a community discussion on data center growth and what it means for our grid & utility bills. Register: buff.ly/faJTaP0

There's a new option for ComEd customers called Time-of-Day Pricing, and, it offers savings for customers who can shift their electricity usage to cheaper times of the day. Read more at CUB's blog: buff.ly/evssH9b

Don't Miss this event tomorrow! We're at Mt. Prospect Public Library, Room A from 6:30-8:30 for a community discussion on the impacts of this growth and the solutions being proposed! 10 S Emerson St., Mount Prospect, IL 60056 Register Now: buff.ly/faJTaP0

Breaking: Ameren Peak Time Rewards customers take note: PTR hours are 3-7 pm TODAY! People in the program can earn bill credits by taking simple, safe energy efficiency actions. Learn more about the program here: buff.ly/DUdsPiS And here: buff.ly/p4l9bp2

Data centers should pay for their energy bills, not Illinois consumers. PJM’s new plan to hold Big Tech accountable only works if Illinois steps up and takes action. Read our blog article on PJM's plan: buff.ly/5IPlPQR And tell our leaders: Pass the POWER Act! ⚡https://buff.ly/yURb50H

Today, 10-11am: Join the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) for a free presentation about your cable options and reducing robocalls at Arbor Place of Lisle! Call (630) 349-0328 to register.

Data centers use enormous amounts of electricity—and consumers shouldn’t be stuck paying the bill. CUB & Consumers for a Better Grid explain how data centers are unfairly driving up power bills. One solution: BYONCE—Bring Your Own New Clean Energy. Watch to learn more: buff.ly/BvNDxA3

Data centers are expanding rapidly across IL Join us to discuss the impact of data centers on our energy grid, utility bills and water supply--and potential solutions: 6:30-8:30 pm, Thursday, Aug. 27, Mt. Prospect Public Library, Room A, 10 S Emerson St., Mt. Prospect. Register: buff.ly/faJTaP0

$400M+ in "unjust profits." One company is accused of one of the largest fraud schemes in FERC history—and is now trying to weaken the watchdog that caught it. CUB stepped in to defend consumers. Link: buff.ly/Acw68jF

So how hard have data centers been on our electric bills? The PJM market monitor says consumers are on the hook for $29 billion+ in data-center related costs thanks to the last 4 PJM auctions for reserve power (capacity). Illinois must pass the POWER Act: buff.ly/I1Az47p

ICYMI: The EV Rebate Program application cycle has opened. Thousands of Illinois drivers have already received rebates of up to $4,000 through the program. Learn more here: buff.ly/uq4YkHf And at the Illinois EPA website: buff.ly/KLo6yKC

Yesterday, Karen from CUB's outreach team was in Pilsen, Chicago, attending Sen. Villanueva Back to School Fair. Families were able to receive back to school supplies, CUB pencils, and information on utility bill savings. Thank you for a great event!

Utility bills too high? CUB can help! Join CUB & state Sen. Graciela Guzmán for a FREE bilingual workshop on understanding your bills, energy efficiency & solar options. Bring your bills for a free analysis! 📅 Aug. 24, 4–6 PM 📍 4747 N. Sawyer Ave., Chicago RSVP: forms.gle/5RWVfjRnx5Qx...

Zoe from CUB was at a back-to-school fair this morning--and she says a typical question she gets is about Community Solar, the program that delivers the benefits of solar power without having to put panels on your home. Learn more about Community Solar: buff.ly/ergHir8