Illinois General Assembly

AARP IL, CUB CALL FOR LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT UTILITIES FROM CHARGING CUSTOMERS MILLIONS FOR SELF-SERVING PR CAMPAIGNS, RATE-HIKE LEGAL FEES

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Illinois General Assembly, Multimedia, Government, Water, Foot, CUB, American Water Works, House, ICC, Policy, Legislation, Energy, Utility, ICF, State, Illinois Commerce Commission, Illinois State University, AARP, Senate

CHICAGO, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois utilities would be prohibited from charging customers potentially tens of millions of dollars for self-serving purposes to increase their political power and advance their agenda, including goodwill advertising, political-issue campaigns and bankrolling high-priced legal teams working to win rate hikes against consumers, under legislation supported by the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and AARP Illinois.

Key Points: 
  • Three other states have passed similar reform legislation over the past year—including Connecticut, Colorado and Maine.
  • CUB estimates the Illinois legislation could, for the average year, save ratepayers across Illinois more than $50 million, based on documents the utilities filed with their most recent rate cases.
  • "I am proud to sponsor a bill that will hold utilities accountable and result in lower rates."
  • "This is part of Illinois' continued effort to protect rate-paying customers from egregious utility rates," said State Senator Glowiak Hilton.

CUB STATEMENT ON ILLINOIS AMERICAN'S $152 MILLION RATE-HIKE REQUEST

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024
CUB, ROE, Illinois General Assembly, American Water Works, Water, Multimedia, ICC, Illinois Commerce Commission, American Water

Illinois American's $152 million rate-hike request is severe and greedy—the company is pushing for an excessive profit rate for its shareholders—and CUB will do everything it can to reduce it.

Key Points: 
  • Illinois American's $152 million rate-hike request is severe and greedy—the company is pushing for an excessive profit rate for its shareholders—and CUB will do everything it can to reduce it.
  • On Feb. 8, 2024, Illinois American Water filed a request to increase rates by $152.4 million, or about 39.5 percent, with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
  • Since 2016, Illinois American has successfully pushed for two other rate hikes before the ICC: an $85 million increase in 2022, and a $35 million increase in 2016.
  • Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in Illinois.

CONSUMER ALERT: TIPS TO BATTLE BITTER COLD AT HOME

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 12, 2024
Family, Health, Temperature, Heat, CUB, Multimedia, LIHEAP, Friends, Sunlight, Illinois General Assembly, Carbon, Atmosphere, Food delivery

During this cold, keep your home at a safe temperature (about 68-70 degrees or more).

Key Points: 
  • During this cold, keep your home at a safe temperature (about 68-70 degrees or more).
  • This bitter cold is an opportunity to pinpoint the drafts in your home.
  • Since then, CUB has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds.
  • For more information, call CUB's Consumer Hotline at 1-800-669-5556 or visit CUB's website, www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org .

PENN Entertainment Announces Groundbreaking Ceremony for Relocated Hollywood Casino Joliet

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Architecture, Commercial Building & Real Estate, Construction & Property, Lodging, Destinations, Travel, Casino, Gaming, Entertainment, Richmond, California, City Council, Penn Entertainment, Illinois Gaming Board, Interstate Highway System, Interstate 55, Municipal council, Illinois General Assembly, Restaurant, Chicago metropolitan area

PENN Entertainment, Inc. (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that it will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Hollywood Casino Joliet on December 13, 2023 at 2 pm CT.

Key Points: 
  • PENN Entertainment, Inc. (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that it will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Hollywood Casino Joliet on December 13, 2023 at 2 pm CT.
  • The entirely new land-based casino and entertainment facility will replace the Company’s nearby riverboat casino when completed.
  • “We are very excited to be moving forward with construction on a new, state-of-the-art Hollywood Casino Joliet in an ideal location,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment.
  • The new Hollywood Casino Joliet is part of a previously announced plan for four new growth projects in Aurora, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; and Henderson, Nevada.

PENN Entertainment Announces Groundbreaking Ceremony for Relocated Hollywood Casino Aurora

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Casino, Gaming, General Entertainment, Entertainment, Events, Concerts, Richmond, California, City Council, Penn Entertainment, City, Illinois Gaming Board, Interstate Highway System, Interstate 88, Partnership, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Municipal council, Illinois General Assembly, Restaurant, Hotel, Chicago metropolitan area

PENN Entertainment, Inc. (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that it will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Hollywood Casino Aurora on November 29, 2023 at 2:45pm CT.

Key Points: 
  • PENN Entertainment, Inc. (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that it will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Hollywood Casino Aurora on November 29, 2023 at 2:45pm CT.
  • The entirely new land-based casino, hotel and entertainment facility will replace the Company’s nearby riverboat casino when completed.
  • “We are thrilled to soon begin construction on a new, state-of-the-art Hollywood Casino Aurora,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment.
  • The new Hollywood Casino Aurora is part of a previously announced plan consisting of four new growth projects in Joliet, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; and Henderson, Nevada.

CUB applauds ICC for standing up for ComEd, Ameren customers, holding utilities accountable in unprecedented regulatory rulings

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Grid, Illinois General Assembly, CUB, Illinois Commerce Commission, Public utility, Multimedia, Final order, ICC, Commonwealth Edison, Nightclub, Ameren

CHICAGO, Dec. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) on Thursday ruled on record ComEd and Ameren electric rate-hike requests. Below is a statement from CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, Dec. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) on Thursday ruled on record ComEd and Ameren electric rate-hike requests.
  • Today's ICC ruling delivered an important message: Utilities need to prove that their grid plans will actually benefit consumers.
  • While the final orders in the cases have not yet been filed, CUB can give this summary of the rulings.
  • In Thursday's rulings, the ICC struck the same pro-consumer themes as they did in holding gas utilities accountable in a series of Final Orders last month.

CUB SLAMS IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLES GAS MOTION

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 1, 2023
ICC, Illinois General Assembly, Safety, CUB, Illinois Commerce Commission, Multimedia, Peoples Energy

If approved, this would add more than $9 million to the Peoples Gas rate hike, which the company received on Nov. 16 and goes into effect today.

Key Points: 
  • If approved, this would add more than $9 million to the Peoples Gas rate hike, which the company received on Nov. 16 and goes into effect today.
  • The ICC should reject this irresponsible motion.
  • Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers.
  • Since then, CUB has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds.

CUB, MREA, Chicagoland Counties Launch Fall Solar Switch Program

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Illinois General Assembly, CUB, Solar, Multimedia, Climate, Small business, Science, Inflation, Partnership, Education, CEJA, Legislation, Energy Fair, Renewable energy, Nursing, Online shopping, Chicago metropolitan area, DuPage

CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique partnership among five Chicagoland counties, nonprofit advocates and expert solar professionals will educate consumers on how they can install solar panels at some of the deepest discounts in the state, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), Illinois' top utility watchdog, said Thursday as the program launched its Fall program.

Key Points: 
  • The Solar Switch program, formerly called Grow Solar Chicagoland, is a partnership among Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will Counties, along with nonprofits CUB and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA).
  • Solar Switch is a "group-buy" program, which means it secures volume discounts for quality solar installations, based on how many residents of those five counties, along with residents of Kendall and McHenry counties, participate.
  • "Combined with the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy incentives, Solar Switch Chicagoland makes solar more accessible than ever," said Taylor Ball, Solar Program Manager for the MREA.
  • The Solar Switch program provides an excellent opportunity for Chicagoland residents to take advantage of these savings and make the switch to renewable energy.

ICC RULINGS REDUCE RECORD RATE-HIKE PROPOSALS; HALT CONTROVERSIAL PIPE-REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, AS REGULATORS DRAW LINE ON UTILITY EXCESS

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 17, 2023
Nicor Gas, Illinois General Assembly, CUB, Illinois Commerce Commission, Peoples Energy, Nevertheless, Cooking, WEC Energy Group, Multimedia, ICC, LIHEAP, Synovial joint, FOR, Heat, Electricity, SMP, News, Natural gas, Renewable energy, Ameren

CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a sweeping rebuff of four different utilities, Illinois regulators have sharply curtailed record rate hikes proposed for more than 4 million gas customers across the state, while also blocking most spending on a controversial pipe-replacement program that has fueled a heating affordability crisis for consumers in recent years. 

Key Points: 
  • In each of the cases, the ICC's reduction to the rate hike exceeded the amount – sometimes by large margins – recommended by the agency's administrative law judges.
  • In all, the rate increases were lowered by about $240 million as a result of the ICC's actions.
  • "We're hopeful that this ruling sends a signal to the state's utilities that the days of business-as-usual are coming to an end."
  • Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers.

CUB: RECORD GAS RATE-HIKE REQUESTS SET FOR FINAL RULING THURSDAY

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
ICC, Investment, Illinois General Assembly, CUB, Multimedia, Public utility

CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT:IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT: The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has posted its agenda for Thursday's Regular Open Meeting and it plans to issue final orders on about $887 million in rate-hike requests proposed by the state's major gas utilities. These cases are set to be decided Thursday:

Key Points: 
  • The fixed monthly amount customers pay before using any gas.
  • We speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we're freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good.
  • Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers.
  • Since then, CUB has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds.