PROBLEM: The average consumer is unaware of their rights and responsibilities with respect to public utility service. SOLUTION: The Alderman should provide ward residents and small businesses with consumer information on a regular basis. There are numerous resources on city, state and local levels that offer money-saving and energy-efficiency tips to consumers. There are even special programs that help pay or offset phone, gas and electric bills for low and limited-income people. The question is why aren’t more us aware of these program and what is our leadership doing to address this? This year, we were faced with the reality that the long-standing rate freeze on electric bills would soon thaw. Despite the best efforts of many legislators, state lawmakers were unable to fend off a rate increase. In recent weeks, we’ve seen rallies held for ComEd. When have we ever seen hard-working ratepayers literally beg the Illinois General Assembly to allow them to give their hard-earned money to a billion dollar company? At some point our leadership knew that the rate freeze would end. What was being done to prepare our residents? Add to this that AT&T is being deregulated and we are firmly in the midst of the winter heating season. What has our leadership done to make sure that our seniors and others are protected? Programs such as LIHEAP and Lifeline are severely under-utilized. Less than 20% of eligible participants actually receive the money that’s been set aside for them—money that would greatly reduce the cost of these vital services. Through regular workshops, information in the monthly Ward newsletter, clinics with the Citizens Utility Board, the Attorney General’s Public Utility Bureau, and other state or local groups, 6th Ward residents could be well-informed of their rights and better equipped to make wise consumer choices. Back to Issues >>