Consumer protections Archives | Citizens Utility Board

Free solar panels? Breaking down solar offers for Illinois consumers

Elizabeth — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:43:29 +0000

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 panels for “free” or with “no money down.” Sounds great, but be wary: Solar panels typically aren’t free. Let’s break down the different solar offers available to consumers in Illinois. (Special note: There is a legitimate state-sponsored solar incentive program offered in Illinois that covers most (or sometimes all) of the cost of going solar, but those are for income-qualified customers only and are not what this blog is about. Read more about this income-qualified program, Illinois Solar For All.) Leases: With a solar lease, the company owns the system and you pay them monthly for the panels. While such an arrangement has been marketed as “no money down” or “free solar panels,” that’s misleading. Although it’s true customers may not pay anything for the panels to be installed, they will pay the company a fixed amount each month for 15-25 years, based on the terms of the lease. Also, leases usually include a provision allowing companies to raise the price each year by 2.9 percent. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): A PPA is similar to a lease in that the company owns the system and is allowed to annually increase the price the customer pays. However, instead of paying a fixed amount each month, the customer is charged a predetermined amount per kilowatt-hour (kWh), based on the energy produced by the system each month. Ownership: You buy the panels outright, and you are responsible for their ongoing maintenance. Things to consider: With both a lease and a PPA, because the solar company owns the panels, it benefits from the incentives that otherwise would go to the customer: a federal tax credit (covers 30 percent of project costs), Solar Renewable Energy Credits (represents the environmental benefit of 1,000 kWh of renewable energy generation, through Illinois Shines, the state’s solar incentives program), and typically any utility rebates. Because of these incentives, a company could give you a better rate for the lease or the PPA, but keep in mind that the company is under NO obligation to pass down a certain amount of savings to you. With solar ownership, you do benefit from the incentives, but it also requires a high upfront investment for long term savings in addition to ongoing maintenance costs. Due to the federal budget reconciliation bill passed in the summer of 2025, the 30 percent federal tax credit will be eliminated after Dec. 31, 2025 for residential solar customers who buy their panels outright. However, third-party vendors, who offer customers leases or PPAs, will still have access to the 30 percent tax credit until 2027. But the guidance is complicated: Projects that “commence construction” after December 31, 2025 must […]

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Planning your pathway to solar: Illinois Shines releases new solar financing fact sheet

Elizabeth — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:26:27 +0000

CUB encourages consumers interested in going solar to utilize Illinois Shines’ Solar Loan Financing resource to learn the many different ways homeowners can pay for solar projects. This is the second handout in the Illinois Power Agency’s (IPA) Homeowner Handout Series, which is part of an expanding resource library designed to help consumers make informed, confident decisions about going solar with the IPA-administered Illinois Shines program. “Now is the time to consider your solar options with the sunsetting of federal solar tax credits on December 31, 2025,” says CUB Solar Program Coordinator Grace Concialdi. “We’re glad this resource is available to help consumers considering a loan to finance their home solar panels.” The IPA has also released this resource in Spanish. This resource follows the first handout released this year, Illinois Shines: Selecting a Solar Company: Green and Red Flags. Upcoming Homeowner Handouts will cover buying and selling a home with an existing solar project. For more information on solar energy, read CUB’s free Solar Guide and visit our Clean Energy page.

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Considering solar? CUB encourages you to use Illinois Shines’ Homeowner Handout

Jim Chilsen — Mon, 12 May 2025 18:01:18 +0000

CUB encourages consumers to utilize the newly launched resource, Illinois Shines: Selecting a Solar Company: Green and Red Flags, to make informed decisions regarding going solar. This is the first handout in the Illinois Power Agency’s (IPA) Homeowner Handout Series, which is part of an expanding resource library designed to help consumers make informed, confident decisions about going solar with the IPA-administered Illinois Shines program. The launch of this important resource is part of the IPA’s broader consumer-protection commitment to educating consumers about the decision to go solar and providing resources to increase their knowledge. These resources are geared toward helping protect consumers against predatory and problematic vendor practices, including misleading marketing, contract confusion and financial risks. Consumer protection is a key pillar for Illinois Shines, helping ensure consumers have necessary information and safeguards when considering going solar or when approached by companies about going solar. The new Homeowner Handout offers guidance to evaluate Illinois Shines solar companies, compare offers using Disclosure Forms, and spot the red flags of misleading, deceptive, or pressurized practices. Upcoming Homeowner Handouts will cover solar loans, financing, and buying and selling a home with an existing solar project.

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Alert: CUB urges struggling consumers to call their utilities before key protections expire July 31

Jim Chilsen — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 11:32:44 +0000

Amid high energy prices, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is urging consumers who are struggling to pay their utility bills to call their utilities immediately to learn about protections available to stay connected to service. Some of those safeguards expire July 31. “It’s been a rough year for utility customers, and it’s so important that people keep the lines of communication open with their utilities,” CUB Communications Director Jim Chilsen said. “Call your utilities to learn about energy assistance available and special payment plans to pay off your debt, and inquire about energy efficiency programs that can help soften the blow of these high prices.” Energy prices are at unprecedented levels for natural gas and electric customers. The ComEd and Ameren summer power prices are up by a range of 60 percent to 120 percent. Natural Gas prices offered by utilities across the state are up to 130 percent higher than last year. CUB and other consumer advocates have negotiated with utilities to create protections to help people stay connected. But many of those end July 31. The following is a summary of some protections, broken down by major utilities in the state: ComEd, Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas said they will not disconnect lower-income customers due to nonpayment, through July 31. Specifically, this covers customers who in 2022 have applied for or are receiving benefits through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). ComEd: LIHEAP or PIPP customers can receive Deferred Payment Arrangements (DPAs) of 12 months, with no down payment, available through July 31. All other residential customers can sign up for a DPA of up to 12 months with 10 percent down until July 31. Ameren: The utility has publicly said qualified Ameren Illinois customers who are behind on their energy bills can establish an 18-month repayment plan with a 10 percent down payment through July 31. After July 31, most customers with outstanding balances will need to make a 25 percent down payment before they can establish a monthly payment plan Nicor: Customers can sign up for an 18-month deferred payment arrangement (DPA) with no down payment required. Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas: LIHEAP/PIPP customers or applicants are eligible for an 18-month DPA with no down payment required through July 31. All other residential customers may enroll in a 25 percent down, 18-month DPA through July 31. CUB encourages consumers to call their utilities to ask if they’re eligible for these protections before they expire. Utility contact information: ComEd 1-800-334-7661 Ameren 1-800-755-5000 Nicor 1-888-642-6748 Peoples Gas 1-866-556-6001 and North Shore Gas 1-866-556-6004 For more information about high energy prices, visit CUBHelpCenter.com.

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Watch Out For Alternative Supplier Rip-offs With These Tips

Elizabeth — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 16:38:23 +0000

During high-priced times, consumers wonder if they should switch to a gas or electric alternative supplier. Be careful. “Alternative electricity suppliers are impacted by the same market conditions that are causing utility prices to increase, so be careful about getting lured into bad deals,” said CUB General Counsel Julie Soderna at the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Summer Policy Planning meeting this month. Illinois consumers have lost more than $1 billion from alternative electric suppliers since 2015, and the gas market has been rife with bad deals. Here’s how to protect yourself from alternative supplier ripoffs this summer: Find out what the alternative supplier is charging and how that compares with the utility’s price-to-compare. Is the rate fixed or variable? Also, make sure to check if the price is only introductory. A company may offer a low introductory rate that will skyrocket after a short period. (Ask how long the intro rate lasts, and what the new rate will be after that promotional period.) Be wary of add-on fees that can raise the cost of the plan. If a company offers a lower fixed supply price, find out if it can try to declare force majeure (a provision in a contract that frees the company from its obligation if an extraordinary event occurs–like, for example, unusual market conditions) and back out of the deal. Also, be careful of multi-year deals. The utility’s price will eventually come down so you don’t want to get locked into a long-term deal that goes sour a year or two into it. With electricity supply, check if your community has negotiated a “municipal aggregation” deal. Municipal aggregation is when community leaders negotiate with an alternative supplier for the purpose of securing a reasonable electricity price. Savings aren’t guaranteed, but your community may have secured a lower supply rate than your utility. Just make sure to find out when the offer expires. To summarize: Know the utility supply rate and how it compares to the offer. (Also, see if your community has negotiated a “municipal aggregation” power deal that’s lower than the utility’s supply rate.) Make sure any offer you consider is not an introductory rate that ends in a month or two. (And if it is, find out when it ends, and what the new rate will be.) Scan the fine print for hidden monthly fees. A $10 monthly fee means you pay $120 a year—before using any power or gas. If it’s a low fixed rate, scan the fine print to see if the company allows itself to change the rate during certain market conditions. If you want to sign up, watch your bill like a hawk and be prepared to get out of the deal. (You should be able to get out with no penalty, thanks to consumer protections CUB supported.) During this high-priced time, remember: Stay in contact with your utility. Consumers who are struggling should contact their utilities to see about energy assistance programs, inquire about payment plans to pay off debt and learn about energy efficiency programs. Practice energy efficiency. Weatherize your windows and doors to keep cool air in and warm […]

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Consumer advocates secure utility protections after hard winter

Elizabeth — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 18:25:19 +0000

Throughout the pandemic, consumer advocates, state regulators and utilities have negotiated consumer protections to try to keep people connected to service. The following is a summary of the latest protections, broken down by the major utilities in the state, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). After reading this, CUB encourages you to call your utility to verify these protections. Energy assistance Call your utility to learn of any other assistance available. For example, Nicor’s Shield of Caring program offers qualifying residential customers up to $250 once every two years to apply to their past-due accounts. (For more information visit Nicor’s website.) Also contact charities, such as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and the Heartland Alliance, to see if they offer assistance for utility bills. Contact your municipality to see if it has assistance programs for residents, and also check with religious institutions. Ask family and friends if they know of organizations providing assistance. Protections against disconnection ComEd, Ameren, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas said they will not disconnect lower-income customers due to nonpayment, through July 31. Specifically, this covers customers who in 2022 have applied for or are receiving benefits through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). Contact your utility to confirm eligibility. Special payment plans to pay off past-due bills ComEd: LIHEAP or PIPP customers can receive Deferred Payment Arrangements (DPAs) of 12 months, with no down payment available through July 31. Customers waiting to hear back on LIHEAP/PIPP applications can elect for a DPA of 12 months with no down payment, but they must contact ComEd to inform them of their application. All other residential customers can sign up for a DPA of up to 12 months with 10% down until July 31. Ameren: LIHEAP or PIPP customers/applicants can receive extended deferred payment agreements for up to 18 months, with no down payment required until July 31. Customers should inform Ameren they are actively applying for LIHEAP. All other residential customers who contact Ameren can sign up for a DPA for up to 12 months with 10% down until July 31. Nicor: Any residential customer can sign up for an 18-month deferred payment arrangement (DPA) with no down payment required. Customers must call Nicor Gas at 888-642-6748 to enroll. Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas: LIHEAP/PIPP customers or applicants are eligible for an 18-month DPA with no down payment required through July 31. All other residential customers may enroll in a 25% down, 18 month DPA through July 31, 2022. Contact the North Shore call center at 866-556-6004 or Peoples Gas call center at 866-556-6001. (These benefits are not available online.) Getting utility service reconnected ComEd will waive reconnection fees for disconnected customers who later enroll in LIHEAP or PIPP. Ameren will waive reconnection fees for LIHEAP/PIPP qualified customers through July 31st and waive late fees for income-eligible gas customers. Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas will waive reconnection fees for eligible low-income customers through June 30 with repaid balance. Staggered Disconnections For consumers not protected from disconnection through July 31, the utilities will stagger disconnections. Details are […]

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Urge Springfield To Fight Misleading Marketing

Jim Chilsen — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 22:59:22 +0000

We’re asking you to join the fight against misleading marketing today. House Bill 4281 would prohibit a “non-utility individual, business, or entity” from using “a public utility name or logo, in whole or in part, in any manner to market, solicit, sell or bill for a home (i) insurance, (ii) maintenance, or (iii) warranty product.” CUB has heard from plenty of customers who unknowingly paid for an expensive home maintenance plan because they thought it was a required line item from the utility company. For years, CUB has been fighting to stop the practice—and we have our best bet to win right now. Here’s why this matter is urgent: HB 4281 is scheduled for a hearing before the Illinois Senate’s Commerce Committee at 8:30 Thursday morning, March 24! Please fill out a witness slip in favor of HB 4281. This is an easy way to show your support: Click here to begin. There could be multiple bills listed. Look for HB 4281, and click on the “Create Witness Slip” icon (the tiny picture of the pencil on paper) all the way to the right. Under Section I: Identification, fill in your information. You are filing as an individual, so put your home address. You can put NA under “Firm/Business or Agency” and “Title,” if you want. Under Section II: Representation, enter “self.” Under Section III: Position, click “Proponent.” (Very important!) Under Section IV: Testimony, click “Record of Appearance Only.” Click “I Agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement” Click “Create (Slip)” in the bottom-right corner. That’s it. It only takes a few minutes–we’re hoping for 100% participation. Let’s get this bill over the finish line!

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As expensive winter looms, know your rights when it comes to disconnection

Hannah — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 13:41:21 +0000

One in five Chicago households are over 30 days late on their heating bills as of Sept. 30. Cumulatively they owe more than $120 million, according to a report published in Crain’s Chicago Business. As we head into what could be one of the most expensive heating seasons in recent history, it’s vital you know your rights if a natural gas or electric utility threatens disconnection now or in the future. Although there are regulations that prevent disconnection during the winter months, they are not applicable to every account and/or circumstance. Do not assume you are protected just because it is cold. Check out your rights, outlined below. If a gas or electric company plans to disconnect your service, it must deliver a written warning to your residence. By law, the notice must be red in color and be delivered in an envelope separate from your regular bill. This notice must detail how much you are required to pay to avoid shut off, when that amount is due and when your service will go off if you do not pay on time. The utility company has 45 days from the date of the notice to shut you off. You are entitled to receive a warning call 48 hours before the electricity or gas is disconnected. Make sure the utility has your current phone number at all times, so you never miss such a call. The utility is permitted to disconnect you without warning if: Your utility equipment has been tampered with. There is no customer of record at your address. There is a dangerous or potentially dangerous condition, such as a gas leak. A utility CANNOT disconnect your service: If the temperature is below 32 degrees or expected to fall below 32 degrees within the next 24-hour period and disconnection would affect your heat. If the temperature is above 95 degrees or expected to rise above 95 degrees within the next 24-hour period (electricity only). On any day preceding a weekend or holiday when temperatures are expected to meet the above criteria. If it’s between December 1 and March 31 AND if the utility accepted LIHEAP funds on the account after September 1 of the heating season. If it’s between December 1 and March 31 and you have an electric heat account (if your primary heat source is powered by electricity). If it’s between December 1 and March 31 and you are a service member who has just been assigned to duty. A utility CAN disconnect your service if: If you fail to pay an entire past due bill or security deposit. If you default on a payment plan you negotiated with the utility. If you deny the utility access to your meter. While regulations prohibit shut-offs after 4 p.m. and on weekends and holidays, technically a disconnection can be performed as long as the utility has personnel available to take a customer call or payment and reconnect the same day. Do everything you can to prevent disconnection. If you are shut off, you lose the rights and protections that are in place for active customers. If you receive a […]

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The dos and don’ts of robocalls

Sophia — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 19:17:21 +0000

Do you get several calls a day from “Scam Likely?” That probably means your number is targeted by robocalls–prerecorded messages from computer generated dialers. Robocalls are irritating, costly, and often illegal. In fact, the call blocking app TrueCaller found that consumers had already lost nearly $30 billion in the first part of the year, with robocalls estimated to reach 52 billion calls in 2021. So what can you do? The easiest way to avoid falling victim to scammers is to decline calls from unknown numbers and never give out your personal information. If someone is genuinely trying to reach you, they will most likely leave a voicemail. Here are a few of CUB’s do’s and don’ts when it comes to robocalls: Do: Confirm you’re on the National Do Not Call Registry The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers a free Do Not Call registry where consumers can register their phone numbers to reduce calls from telemarketers. Remember, robocallers that are selling something need to get your prior written approval to call you, so if you didn’t give your OK, the sales call you’re receiving is illegal. True, the registry won’t block scammers that flaunt the rules, but it will block all the telemarketers that do follow the restrictions—and that’s still a lot. To register your number, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you would like to register. Don’t: Say “yes” Some scammers will try to trick you into saying “yes” by asking questions like “can you hear me now?” They will then use that recording as proof that you agreed to a costly deal you never wanted. If you find yourself on the line with an automated messenger, the best thing to do is hang up. Do: Use your phone’s features to your advantage If you receive a robocall, you can block that number from ever calling you again. Additionally, your phone may offer spam-blocking services. Turning this feature on will automatically decline calls from unknown numbers. Lastly, turning on the Do Not Disturb feature will send all of your calls directly to voicemail. This way, you can monitor who called you through voicemails or you can allow for only your contacts to get through. For instructions on how to use spam protection click here for Apple iPhones and here for Google Androids. Don’t: Call the number back You may have the urge to call the number back to give the scam artist an earful. However, calling them back might lead to an increase in calls you receive since scammers now know your phone number is active. It’s best to simply block that number from calling you again. If you get harassed by robocalls, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting FTC.gov/complaint and click on the FTC Complaint Assistant icon, or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. For full tips, order CUB’s robocalls guide.

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CUB urges consumers to call utilities, access protections

Hannah — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:50:18 +0000

CUB is urging Illinois consumers to contact their utility companies to take advantage of consumer protections available to them due to the pandemic. “If you are struggling to pay your bills, immediately contact your utility to find out what protections are available, and set up a plan to prevent disconnection,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “These protections are available for a limited time and only for customers who call their utility and state they are experiencing financial hardship because of the pandemic.” In June, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved landmark consumer protections negotiated by a coalition of consumer advocates—including CUB—and these utilities: Ameren Illinois, Aqua Illinois, ComEd, Illinois American, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, Peoples Gas and Utilities Inc. Most of these utilities have agreed to a moratorium on disconnections until March 31, 2020, with the exception of Aqua and Illinois American. These two utilities agreed to a moratorium for low-income customers and those experiencing financial hardship through March 31, 2021. The following protections are available only to customers who call and state they are experiencing hardship due to the pandemic: Waiving deposits. Until Dec. 26, utilities must waive deposits connected to late payment or non-payment, arrearages, or credit-related issues for customers experiencing financial hardship. Also, utilities will not report late payments and nonpayment for active customers to credit bureaus and reporting agencies. Consumer-friendly payment plans. Utilities are currently offering longer Deferred Payment Arrangements (DPAs)—plans that help people pay off debt with a utility. DPAs for customers who are LIHEAP-eligible or express financial hardship will not require a down payment and will be extended to 24 months. North Shore and Peoples Gas will be extending the availability of the 18- and 24-month DPAs through March 31, 2021. CUB is encouraging other utilities to follow suit. Some utilities also have a Bill Payment Assistance Program that offers some debt forgiveness for eligible utility customers who apply. Each utility’s program will differ in terms of available funding, the amount allotted to each customer and the way it is administered. CUB urged consumers to ask their utility companies about the program. Consumers should contact their utilities to access these consumer protections: Ameren Illinois — 1-800-755-5000 Aqua Illinois — 1-877-987-2782 ComEd — 1-800-334-7661 Illinois American Water — 1-800-422-2782 Nicor Gas — 1-888-642-6748 North Shore Gas — 1-866-556-6004 Peoples Gas — 1-866-556-6001 Utilities Inc. — 1-800-831-2359

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