Getting Hosed: Officials finally address on bad water billing at City Council hearing
The Chicago City Council Finance Committee held a hearing Tuesday with the heads of the Water Management and Finance departments.
Getting Hosed
Retirees see relief from shocking $80,000 water bill with no explanation
A week-by-week log of meter readings showed zero water usage on some entries. Other times, the report came back at 6 million gallons used in a week.
Chicago retirees shocked at unexpected $65,000 increase in water bill
The family knew they had unpaid water charges to settle before selling their three-flat in Roseland, but nothing like the amount they got.
Getting Hosed: Three members of the new City Council weigh in on water bills, lead pipes
The circumstances vary from case to case, of course, but in short, the pattern involves Chicagoans getting socked with bills for water they didn't use.
Ex-Chicago resident 'Getting Hosed' stuck with water bills for his former house
"You've got people walking around on fixed income and they can't afford to pay a $500 bill," Burns said. "I would like to see mistakes corrected and I would like to see communication. There's no communication!"
Alderman calls for hearings on water billing problems exposed by "Getting Hosed" series
"It's just nuts to me that we have this issue that continues to be reported, on and the city departments are not doing anything about it," Villegas said.
Ald. Villegas on Chicagoans getting hosed: 'Government shouldn't be here to hurt people'
Numerous people whose stories we've reported over the past four years have been getting hosed by bogus bills - often rising into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Getting Hosed: City apologizes, fixes water bill that wrongly amounted to $30,000
This did not happen until the CBS 2 Investigators got involved.
Getting Hosed: Rogers Park woman going to court over inflated water bill
Connie Abels has been waiting five years for her hearing.
Man's water bill jumps from $200 to $5,000 with no explanation
The homeowner was just being an honest guy and alerted the Chicago Department of Water Management to his unusually low bill.
City employee gets bogus bill for 107,000 gallons of water in two months
"The issue with being a city employee is we are obligated to pay any city obligation," said paramedic Lisa Beard.
Getting Hosed: When property owners die, Chicago water billing keeps going
In Chicago when you die, ComEd shuts off your electricity, and Peoples Gas shuts off your gas. But the city does not stop your water.
Midwest mayors say more funds are needed to replace lead water lines
Illinois' lead pipe situation is the worst in the country.
Getting Hosed: North Lawndale landlord's water bill jumps from $200 to $20,000 for one month
Yasser Almanaseer said he has had no luck in getting it fixed.
Getting Hosed: Chicago landlord receives water bill for $10,000, with no warning
How does a City of Chicago water bill for $70 turn into a $10,000 tab from one bill to the next?
Getting Hosed: A woman fights the city over a water bill she never should have received and wins
Getting Hosed, our exposé on Chicago's bad water billing, has saved consumers hundreds of thousands of dollars. So we wanted to know - what happens if you take on the City yourself?
Getting Hosed: East Garfield Park resident $64,000 for water bill; 'There must be a mistake'
"They told me to hire a good lawyer, that this is probably a billing issue with the city."
City Council committee votes down ordinance to halt water shutoffs, expand billing relief
Aldermen voted against Ald. Daniel La Spata's proposal for helping low-income residents with water bills, while a competing proposal from Mayor Lori Lightfoot remains bottled up in a separate committee.
Getting Hosed: Plans to replace Chicago's lead water service lines dragging
Hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans with unmetered accounts pay inflated bills – and you can't get a meter for a fair bill until you get a non-lead service line.
Getting Hosed: Vietnam Veteran Gets Hosed and Bulldozed By The City
Rodney Andrews — a Vietnam Veteran, a Chicago cabbie, and our main protagonist — was among those "Getting Hosed" by the City until we fixed his water bill. Then, out of the blue, the City had his garage bulldozed.
Pastor Of Pilsen Church Says He's Getting Hosed With Water Bill Debt Due To Lack Of Water Meter; Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez Wants Federal Dollars To Remedy Such Situations
The pastor of a Pilsen church says he feels like he's getting hosed - with an $11,000 water bill. And he's not alone.
Getting Hosed: Bad Water Bills Aren't Chicago's Only Problem -- Many Residents Are Drinking Lead-Laced Water
Over the years, viewers have reached out to the CBS 2 Investigators concerned about the high levels of lead in their drinking water.
Getting Hosed: The $8,000 Difference Between A Metered And Unmetered Property
For our latest Getting Hosed expose, the CBS 2 Investigators dug into issues with vacant, unmetered properties and the regressive billing policies that lead to inflated water bills.
Lyons Homeowner Thinks She's Getting Hosed By Village's Demand She Pay For Leaking Water Line Not On Her Property
"I just think that this is municipal property. I can't see it any other way," said Christine Wehrle, who disputes that she should have to pay for the repairs.
Getting Hosed: City Offers 91-Year-Old Retired CPS Teacher A "Payment Plan" For A $57,000 Water Bill
The bill for her Southside six-flat is now nearly $60,000 — for water that was never used. In fact, the building has been boarded up and vacant since her last tenant moved out in 2018.
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Chicago area neighbors make friends over international food
A Mount Prospect couple with a passion for food and travel wanted to create a cooking club.
Seven buses of migrants arrive in Chicago for second day in a row
Late Wednesday night, we were there as adults and small children stepped off one of the buses, and greeted with blankets.
Oak Park on alert after armed robberies, carjackings this past weekend
There were four armed robberies, one carjacking, and one aggravated assault that was believed to be an attempted robbery in Oak Park early Sunday.
One dead, two hospitalized after RV catches fire at Stickney gas station
Officials said the person who died was inside the Covington LX RV that was completely torched.
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One dead, two hospitalized after RV catches fire at Stickney gas station
officials said the person who died was inside the Covington LX RV that was completely torched.
Oak Park on alert after armed robberies, carjackings this past weekend
There were four armed robberies, one carjacking, and one aggravated assault that was believed to be an attempted robbery in Oak Park early Sunday.
Seven buses of migrants arrive in Chicago for second day in a row
Late Wednesday night, we were there as adults and small children stepped off one of the buses, and greeted with blankets.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Slow clearing Thursday
The low for Wednesday night is 62.
Chicago area neighbors make friends over international food
A Mount Prospect couple with a passion for food and travel wanted to create a cooking club.
CBS 2 Investigators
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Feds to fund improvements to keep pedestrians off Chicago area railroad tracks
A total of 39 people were killed trespassing on railroad tracks in Illinois last year alone.
Now-dead man suspected in murder of Romeoville family had lengthy criminal record
Nathaniel Huey Jr.'s criminal past should have been a red flag – including a court order banning him from possessing firearms.
Hospital changed disposal procedures after CBS 2 bought empty COVID-19 vaccine vials
After a pharmacy director admitted selling "empty" COVID vaccine vials to CBS 2, the hospital changed policy to protect the public.
Former state inspector Jose Guillen expected to plead guilty to lying about groping women
Guillen was indicted last year on four counts of deprivation of civil rights and one count of obstruction of justice
Electric rental car breaks down, traps Gurnee mom, daughter inside
They turned to CBS 2 Investigators for help after they then got stuck with a big bill.
Politics
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Seven buses of migrants arrive in Chicago for second day in a row
Late Wednesday night, we were there as adults and small children stepped off one of the buses, and greeted with blankets.
Illinois DCFS report card for past two years shows more failures than last review
Last time the state Auditor General updated us, there were 30 major failures by DCFS. This time, it's 33.
Donald Trump and his company "repeatedly" violated fraud law, N.Y. judge rules
"The documents here clearly contain fraudulent valuations that defendants used in business," Judge Engoron wrote in his ruling, ordering Trump's New York business certificates canceled.
Biden joins picket line with UAW workers in Michigan
President Biden said the UAW "saved the auto industry back in 2008," and should reap the benefits of profits now.
Two aldermen want voters to decide if Chicago should remain sanctuary city for migrants
The move comes as the city works to find housing for more than 14,000 asylum seekers who have been brought to Chicago since last August.
Consumer News
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Kia, Hyundai models recalled due to fire risk; separate concerns about security flaws persist
Hyundai warned drivers to park their cars outside until they can get the necessary repairs.
Indiana AG sues MV Realty, says company is deceptive
MV Realty is based out of Florida, but operates in Indiana and several other states – including Illinois.
Contractor accused of scamming people in need of housework
They accused James Nesbitt of taking off with deposits without completing jobs and complained he didn't respond to customers.
Getting Hosed: Officials finally address on bad water billing at City Council hearing
The Chicago City Council Finance Committee held a hearing Tuesday with the heads of the Water Management and Finance departments.
Chime customer frustrated by slow response after bogus $1,200 charge
She was yet another victim who didn't get their money back until CBS 2 got involved.
Health News
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Teen who's had two lung transplants gets behind-the-scenes tour of Field Museum
Scientists at the Field Museum showed Josh Burton ways he can still have a career without digging in the dirt.
Northwestern researchers get $45M to develop implant to sense and treat cancer
"From a clinical perspective, this could be a game-changing approach to cancer therapy," said Dr. Jonathan Rivnay.
How to get the new COVID vaccine for free, with or without insurance
Americans still have ways to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at no out-of-pocket cost. Here's what to know.
How FDA's top vaccines official is timing his COVID and flu shots
Can you get your COVID booster and flu shot at the same time? Here's what health experts say.
Silver Cross NICU like a second home for some new parents
Millions of babies are born prematurely every year. That translates to about one in 10 newborns who need extra support in the NICU.
Business News
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GM and Stellantis plants in Bolingbrook and Naperville join UAW strike
"We're not going to wait around forever for a fair contract," UAW President Shawn Fain said. "The companies know how to make this right."
Workers at Chicago Ford plant worry they may have to walk off the job amid strike
Hundreds of autoworkers gathered Thursday outside the UAW Local 551 headquarters, 13550 S. Torrence Ave., to protest.
Alderman wants moratorium on Dollar Tree stores, says properties are "filthy"
"I want to see a moratorium on these type of businesses opening up in our city," said Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th). "This happens in communities all across the city of Chicago."
Kroger and Albertsons sell hundreds of stores in a bid to clear merger of the 2 largest US groceries
Grocers Kroger and Albertsons are selling more than 400 stores and other assets to C&S Wholesale Grocers in an approximately $1.9 billion deal as part of their efforts to complete their merger.
Steppenwolf Theatre announces layoffs of 13 staffers
The company said it has been "negatively impacted by a protracted post-pandemic economic recovery for our sector and the rising cost of inflation,"
Sports
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Cubs lose to Braves, drop into tie with Miami for NL's third wild card
The Cubs blew a six-run lead in Tuesday's series opener.
Chicago area man wants to learn more about painting of Wrigley Field
Daniel Kamen is trying to get to the bottom of the origins of the painting. He showed it to Sotheby's, and they think it could be valuable.
Bears focus on fighting through adversity to snap losing streak
The Bears returned to practice determined and focused. That's the message as they try to keep together during the longest losing streak in franchise history.
White Sox lose to Diamondbacks, get blanked for 13th time this season
The White Sox (60-98) are trying to avoid what would be their first 100-loss season since 2018 and second since 1970.
Lillard dealt to Bucks as part of three-team deal, per report
Lillard had hoped for a trade to the Miami Heat, but instead will head to the Bulls' division opponent.
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Entertainment
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Teri Bristol, Chicago house music DJ, dies at 66
Bristol began DJing in Chicago in the 1980s, and paved the way for a generation of other women DJs.
"Survivor" returns for season 45 Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. ET
Through longer weekly episodes, "Survivor" will take a deeper dive into the players' stories as they're stranded on the stunning islands of Fiji.
Hollywood writers, studios reach tentative deal to end strike
Terms of the deal must still be ratified by the WGA's approximately 11,000 members.
Hundreds of local artists take stages at Chicago Live! at Navy Pier
The event is the Midwest's largest free performing arts festival.
Usher to headline Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas
Usher will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2024.
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Chicago First Alert Weather: Eventual clearing Thursday
CBS 2 Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist has your 10 p.m. First Alert Weather forecast for Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.
Suburban Chicago neighbors become friends over international food
A Mount Prospect couple with a passion for food and travel wanted to create a cooking club. It's become a recipe for success and sparked a culinary adventure uniting neighbors who were once strangers and now are friends. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports.
Candidates gather for second Republican presidential primary debate
Seven candidates were onstage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and at times, it seemed like all seven were trying to get a word in.
Migrants board charter buses to Chicago from El Paso, Texas
In El Paso, Texas, migrants lined up to get on buses – some of them headed for Chicago. The State of Texas also bused migrants to New York City and Denver. Ken Molestina of CBS Texas reports.
Mayor Johnson on migrant crisis: Chicago will remain a sanctuary city
Some residents are complaining about the city's handling of the migrant crisis, calling on the city to put more funding into their communities instead. CBS 2's Marybel Gonzalez reports.
Crime
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Oak Park on alert after armed robberies, carjackings this past weekend
There were four armed robberies, one carjacking, and one aggravated assault that was believed to be an attempted robbery in Oak Park early Sunday.
Several people robbed at South Chicago bus stop
CBS 2 news crews talked with one of the victims who said his iPhone was stolen by a group near 79th Street and Jeffery Boulevard.
Neighbors want action after repeated armed robbery sprees in Chicago neighborhoods
Police laid out their plans to combat the crisis Tuesday night.
Northwest Indiana man faces multiple felonies in hit-run accident
Pete Baum, 48, of Hobart, was charged Tuesday for causing the accident on Sunday evening.
Man charged with holding knife to woman's throat in Round Lake
Gerzin Ramirez-Perez, 33, has been charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful restraint and two misdemeanor counts of domestic battery.
