Citizens Utility Board, Chicago, IL Videos

LIHEAP Deadline 2024 (1).mp4
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households pay for their home's energy services. The application period officially ends Thursday, Aug. 15th. See if you're eligible for funds! https://buff.ly/3YGf8rq

2024 ICC Water Public Hearings v3.mp4
This summer, CUB went to public forums on the push by Aqua Illinois and Illinois American to raise water bills by up to nearly $30/month. People are frustrated about their rates the way it is, and now the companies want even more! Thank you to everyone who has spoken out against the rate hikes. Watch our footage of some of the speakers at the public forums: https://buff.ly/4dA5rid

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ICYMI: CUB stood with legislators to oppose 2 private water companies that are pushing for rate hikes of up to nearly $30 a month and to call for legislative reforms to better protect consumers. Thank you State Senator Sue Rezin !Visit CUBActionCenter.com to fight the hikes!

Frustration over Aqua IL bills, poor water quality
This past week CUB was in Crystal Lake and Bourbonnais to attend public forums about Aqua's $19M rate-hike request (we say the hike exemplifies corporate greed). We saw first-hand how frustrated customers are about escalating bills, high fixed charges, late fees and poor water quality. Some even brought jars of their orange water. Here's video of Elizabeth Scott, University Park's village manager, talking about environmental racism. The community had unacceptable levels of lead in drinking water in 2019, and years later people still have concerns and talk of bad water quality. Here's a story about the forums in Capitol News Illinois: https://buff.ly/3WoWbqc Visit CUBActionCenter.com to sign a petition against Aqua's rate-hike request.

Speaking out against the Aqua rate-hike request.
It was a packed house in Bourbonnais tonight at a public forum on Aqua Illinois’ $19 million rate-hike request.Janelle, a trustee from the Village of University Park, says no to the proposed Aqua hike. She spoke of poor water quality: “The water’s horrible,” she told the president of Aqua. Aqua customers like Janelle have been frustrated with escalating bills and poor service, including lead in University Park water back in 2019. Years later some customers were still drinking bottled water because they didn’t trust the drinking water in the community. It was good to see so many people come out tonight not only concerned about their own bills and their own water quality, but also the well-being of their neighbors.

Tonight, CUB's in Bourbonnais at the final Illinois Commerce Commission public forum on Aqua's $19M rate-hike request. The hike would increase water/wastewater bills by an avg of up to nearly $30 a month. This would be a hardship for consumers, and CUB opposes the hike.

CUB's heading to the final Illinois Commerce Commission public forum on Aqua's $19M rate-hike request. It’s 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 1, Olivet Nazarene University, Wisner Auditorium, One University Ave, Bourbonnais. At the Crystal Lake forum on Monday night, people were mad about poor service, high bills:

7.18.24_pg_rally_cub_interview (1080p).mp4
"We need to give gas utilities a clear message: We are not your ATM." ICYMI: Last week CUB Communications Director Jim Chilsen spoke at a rally at Peoples Gas headquarters calling on the company to prioritize safety and affordability instead of company profits in the controversial pipeline replacement program. Sign our petition to the Illinois Commerce Commission here: https://buff.ly/4fkzP20

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After Monday's jam-packed Illinois Commerce Commission public forum in Bolingbrook, CUB was in Champaign to speak out against Illinois American Water's $152M rate-hike request. Thank you to AARP Illinois for requesting these forums. CUB's Laura Loyd made the trip to Champaign to speak. She gave us a preview of her remarks before the meeting began. You can sign CUB's petition against the increase here: https://buff.ly/3y0I82f And you can file a public comment against the rate hike with the ICC (Docket 24-0097) here: https://buff.ly/4f9EBzn

Sarah Moskowitz, CUB Executive Director
More than 300 people packed the Levy Center in Bolingbrook tonight to voice their concerns about high water bills and Illinois American Water’s $152 million rate-hike request. CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz was one of the speakers. She took issue with Illinois American’s president saying that the rate hike would only be one dollar a day. That’s not a good thing! Thank you AARP Illinois for requesting these Public forms. And big thanks to all the Bolingbrook area consumers who came out tonight to let their voice be heard. Plus, thank you State Representative Dagmara Avelar and Senator Rachel Ventura for speaking tonight. This rate hike is unjust and unreasonable and that’s why we’re fighting it!

7.18 Press Conference
On behalf of AARP’S 250,000 members in Chicago and all older adults in the city, we oppose Peoples Gas’ incessant requests for increased spending in its pipe replacement program

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Be safe, everyone! Tornado warnings in the Chicago region. Sirens filling the air. CUB power outage tips: https://buff.ly/4dkIDmP ComEd outage map: https://buff.ly/3Wp47sI Ameren Illinois outage map: https://buff.ly/4bJs82c

News Conference: Justice for Water Customers
CUB stands with state legislators calling for justice for private water customers in Illinois.

LIHEAP Deadline 2024.mp4
Reminder: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households pay their energy bills--a cost that can be a major stress on a family’s budget. The application period ends Aug. 15. Please apply now while funds are still available! Read more about this helpful program to see if you qualify: https://buff.ly/4b4ZQyK

Coffee with CUB
Join CUB's Outreach Team for the June edition of Coffee with CUB!

Coffee with CUB
In celebration of CUB's 40th Anniversary, the May edition of Coffee with CUB features Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz talking with former CUB leader Martin Cohen. Learn how Marty went from being a rock-band roadie to a CUB consumer advocate to Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). It's a great story!

Marina from CUB at Climate Action Lobby Day
Marina from CUB worked at the State Capitol today as part of Climate Action Lobby Day. Her goal? Clean energy access for all AND lower utility bills. CUB thanks the hundreds of people who went to Springfield--as Marina says, keep fighting the good fight! Learn more about the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition platform here: https://bit.ly/4dBSB3R

sarah_climate (1080p).mp4
CUB's Sarah Moskowitz at a Chicago City Council subject matter hearing on the Clean & Affordable Buildings Ordinance: CABO would be good for our utility bills, our health and our climate. Urge your Chicago alder to support CABO: https://bit.ly/4aYDIHe

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Here's a great story for Earth Day: Mike and Becky never gave up on the solar installation they planned. Read CUB's WatchBlog: https://bit.ly/4b8h6Ue (And watch the video. As CUB's Scott Allen says: “Everybody take note that organizing, and showing up and talking to your elected officials works.")