Chicago Weather: Tips To Lower Your Gas Bills As Temperatures Drop
The bitter blast means many of us are trying to stay warm inside and that means higher gas bills.
Citizens Utility Board
ComEd Admits Failed Underground Line Caused Power Outage That Shorted Out Woman's Sump Pumps, But Utility Won't Pay For Damages
Cathryn Harris' power went out, her sump pumps broke, then her basement flooded - and ComEd admitted the outage was because of a failed underground power line. But that's not enough to get the utility giant to pay for damages.
Citizens Utility Board Reminds Public That Help Is Available If You Can't Pay Utility Bills Amid Pandemic
If you're struggling to pay your utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Citizens Utility Board, or CUB, wants to remind you there is help available.
Watchdog Expects Electric Rate Ripoffs Ahead Of New Consumer Protection Laws
Get ready for a summer of ripoffs. In the last four years, Illinois residents have overpaid more than $600 million for electricity, and it's about to get worse.
Consumer Group Offers Guide To Reduce 'Robocalls'
CUB said technology is allowing scam artists to make thousands of calls a minute, and the calls have reached an "alarming level." The telecom services firm YouMail estimates there were a record 47.8 billion automated calls in 2018 -- most scam calls or telemarketers.
Utility Board Pushes For Consumer Protections For Alternate Energy
A consumer advocacy group is pushing a proposal to protect customers shopping for alternative electric and gas companies.
Opposition Arises Against 2 Proposals Allowing AT&T To Stop Landline Service
The Citizens Utility Board, AARP and the Illinois Public Interest Research Group are teaming up in opposition to proposed legislation in the Illinois General Assembly to would let AT&T get rid of traditional landline phones.
Heating Cost Complaints Spiking This Winter, Utility Watchdog Says
The Citizens Utility Board said it has seen a 65% increase in complaints and questions this winter about unregulated natural gas suppliers.
Citizens Utility Board Release Guide To Help Pay-TV Customers Save Money
The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) released Tuesday its first-ever guide to help TV viewers cut costs.
Complaint: Peoples Gas Officials 'Misled' Regulators About Cost Overruns
Top officers of Peoples Gas "knowingly misled" state regulators about the ballooning cost of a multibillion-dollar upgrade program to pave the way for a 2015 merger, according to a complaint filed by Attorney General Lisa Madigan and a utility watchdog.
Utilities, Watchdog Warn Customers Of Scams
It's unusual for three utilities and the Citizens Utility Board to come together for a single news conference, but they did just that Friday to try to prevent customers from being scammed.
Whistleblowers Prompt Investigation Into Peoples Gas Program
The Illinois Commerce Commission on Wednesday announced an investigation into Peoples Gas' controversial and pricey gas-main replacement program in Chicago after allegations by two whistleblowers.
CUB: Energy-Efficiency Programs Save More Money Than Alternate Suppliers
A couple years ago, you could save decent money on your electric bill merely by switching to an alternate energy supplier, but Citizens Utility Board spokesman Jim Chilsen said not anymore. That is because those companies have started hiking rates, and ComEd has gotten out from under an expensive contract.
Watchdog Group Raises 'Serious Concerns' About Plan To Help ComEd
Illinois lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow ComEd to charge customers about $2 more per month to cover the costs of its nuclear power plants, drawing criticism from a utility watchdog group that says ComEd's parent company already makes plenty of profit.
ICC Approves Rate Hike For Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas Customers
People's Gas and North Shore Gas customers can expect to see an increase in their monthly heating bills, reports WBBM's Mariam Sobh.
Citizens Utility Board Holding Customer Service Horror Story Contest
Have a customer service horror story that involves dealing with a utility company? The Citizens Utility Board wants to hear from you on social media.
Wisconsin Utility To Buy Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas For $9B
Illinois state regulators and a consumer watchdog group were looking at a $9 billion deal for the sale of two local natural gas suppliers to a utility company in Wisconsin.
City, CUB Seek Probe Of Alternate Power Suppliers' Rates
City officials and a utility watchdog group have requested a state investigation into some alternative power that may be tricking or confusing Chicago customers with their prices.
Citizens Utility Board: Rising Complaints About ComEd Rivals
Ahead of an energy rate hike at ComEd next month, a utility watchdog group said it's seen a dramatic increase in complaints about some of the practices of several alternative electricity companies.
ComEd Raising Energy Rates Next Month
ComEd customers will be getting socked with higher electric bills this summer.
CUB Promises To Fight Potential ComEd Rate Hike
ComEd is asking for another rate hike, but the Citizens Utility Board says it will fight it every step of the way.
ComEd To Increase Rate For Electricity Delivery Charge By $340 Million
The increase amounts to about $5.50 per customer and is on delivery charges so it doesn't matter if you have another electric supplier.
ComEd Getting More Competitive Against Alternative Utilities
The nearly 800,000 customers who switched electric companies have been seeing a savings of about $10 a month.
Utility Watchdog Wants ComEd To Equalize Rates Between Chicago, Suburbs
Power activists will ask Illinois to equalize electrical rates between the city and suburbs. WBBM's John Cody has more.
Smart Phone Users Over Pay For Data Plans: CUB
Smart phone users may want to take a closer look at their data plans.
CBS News Chicago — Watch Live 24/7
Latest News
Chicago Police shoot 13-year-old boy who fled from stolen vehicle wanted in Oak Park auto theft
The boy is hospitalized in serious condition.
New curfew for Millennium Park now in effect for kids under 18
Children under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult following last week's chaos.
City Council committee to vote on Chicago casino plan, which has some neighbors thinking of selling condos and leaving
There is still a push from nearby residents to stop the billon-dollar Bally's project that is planned for the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Breezy overnight, lows in the 60s
Other than an isolated chance for a shower, we'll be just warm and breezy overnight.
Man dies after being pulled from Lake Michigan near South Side's Calumet Park
He had gone into the water with friends, police said.
Cubs lose to Diamondbacks, drop second straight
Zac Gallen pitched five effective innings, Daulton Varsho homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cubs on Thursday night.
Northwestern Wildcats women's lacrosse team is off to Final Four after pounding Syracuse
The No. 4 Northwestern Wildcats women's lacrosse team hosted No. 5 Syracuse Thursday, with the Final Four on the line.
Eleventh contempt of court order issued against DCFS Director Marc Smith
An 11-year-old abused girl, considered a risk to herself and others, has spent two months in what's considered a shelter and has been waiting months longer for a secure residential treatment center placement.
Chef Jin Lew out of coma weeks after being carjacked, brutally beaten in Chinatown
Lew was heading home after visiting his son in the South Loop when he was attacked in Chinatown.
White Sox finish 3-game series with 7-4 victory over the Royals
Luis Robert homered and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Kansas City City Royals 7-4 Thursday to win the five-game series.
Two Chicago area college players hope to make their mark next month at the NBA draft combine
"Even though teams are interviewing me, it's almost like I'm interviewing them as well, trying to learn."
'Operation Basketball' gives kids a summertime game and the chance to get a summer job
"We've had kids be like 'I didn't even know I could sign up for these jobs so thank you!' and that makes it all worth it."
As prices rise, big box stores reveal how shoppers are navigating inflation
As inflation rises, shoppers are looking for alternative ways to make their dollar go a bit further.
'COVID didn't make it any easier': Latinos undercounted in the census with Illinois losing millions
"Latino populations are, in fact, one of several historically hard to count populations."
Missing elderly Markham woman Olga Gutierrez found safe
An elderly woman who had been missing from Markham since Sunday night has been found, and is being treated at a nearby hospital.
At least five catalytic converters found after Irving Park car crash just after reported theft, nationwide spike
Catalytic converters were left all over the ground at the scene of an awful car crash Thursday morning in the Irving Park neighborhood.
Family, friends hold balloon release for Seandell Holliday; shot, killed in Millennium Park last week
Attendees released blue and pink balloons to honor Seandell Holliday.
Boy, 17, shot and killed in vehicle in West Pullman
He was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
Police activity halts Loop 'L' trains at State/Lake station
Loop 'L' trains were halted at the State/Lake station Thursday afternoon due to police activity.
Metra to pay $12M in a settlement for accident killing two teenage girls
Lawyers said the teenaged driver stopped for a red light, but because the intersection was confusing and covered in snow, he didn't know he was on tracks.
Aldermen back more than $16M in settlements for two more lawsuits against Chicago police
One of the lawsuits involves one of four men wrongfully convicted for a 1992 double murder. That case has now cost Chicago taxpayers more than $43 million in verdicts and settlements.
Man, 63, shot in face while in vehicle on Garfield Boulevard
The victim was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
Participants graduate from Circuit Court of Cook County's (W)RAP program
Six participants have successfully completed and graduated from the Cook County Circuit Court's "(W)RAP" program.
New 'Pace Bus Plus' pass will connect both Pace, CTA buses
A new pass could be coming that will allow passengers to use both Pace and CTA buses.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Warm, windy in the evening; highs in the 80s
Windy & warm this evening with a very small chance of an isolated storm well south of I-80.
Latest News
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Chicago Police shoot 13-year-old boy who fled from stolen vehicle wanted in Oak Park auto theft
The boy is hospitalized in serious condition.
New curfew for Millennium Park now in effect for kids under 18
Children under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult following last week's chaos.
City Council committee to vote on Chicago casino plan, which has some neighbors thinking of selling condos and leaving
There is still a push from nearby residents to stop the billon-dollar Bally's project that is planned for the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West.
Chicago First Alert Weather: Breezy overnight, lows in the 60s
Other than an isolated chance for a shower, we'll be just warm and breezy overnight.
Man dies after being pulled from Lake Michigan near South Side's Calumet Park
He had gone into the water with friends, police said.
CBS 2 Investigators
More CBS 2 Investigators
Eleventh contempt of court order issued against DCFS Director Marc Smith
An 11-year-old abused girl, considered a risk to herself and others, has spent two months in what's considered a shelter and has been waiting months longer for a secure residential treatment center placement.
Park Ridge man says failures by Post Office cost him opportunity to run for state Senate as write-in
Michael Walters thought he did everything right.
CBS 2 Chicago wins four regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
CBS 2 Chicago won four regional Edward R. Murrow awards, the most of any station.
Red Cross looking for volunteers to install smoke detectors
This week alone, the Red Cross has helped 132 victims in Chicago and the suburbs after house fires.
KN95 masks that failed federal testing for health care workers were given to CPS schools in Omicron surge
A teacher brought concerns about the masks received in schools in January to the attention of CBS 2 News.
Politics
More Politics
Aldermen back more than $16M in settlements for two more lawsuits against Chicago police
One of the lawsuits involves one of four men wrongfully convicted for a 1992 double murder. That case has now cost Chicago taxpayers more than $43 million in verdicts and settlements.
Biden to invoke Defense Production Act to address baby formula shortage
Suppliers will be required to give resources to infant formula plants before sending to other customers.
Park Ridge man says failures by Post Office cost him opportunity to run for state Senate as write-in
Michael Walters thought he did everything right.
Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky, Idaho and Oregon primary results
CBS News projects Chuck Edwards will win the GOP nomination in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, defeating incumbent Rep. Madison Cawthorn.
Madison Cawthorn, Trump-backed incumbent congressman, loses primary
CBS News projects Chuck Edwards will win the Republican primary in the 11th Congressional District.
Consumer News
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Demand rises for donated breast milk amid baby formula shortage
With parents struggling to navigate the baby formula shortage, breast milk donation banks are seeing a sharp increase in demand — but also a jump in donations.
Baby formula shortage still leaves families desperate, especially those restricted by federal WIC program rules
Walk into the baby formula aisle at just about any drug or grocery store around the country, and you will still see rows of empty shelves.
Abbott to resume production of baby formula at Sturgis, Michigan plant after recall
Abbott Nutrition said after its plant in Sturgis, Michigan gets back in operation, product could be back on shelves in six to eight weeks, subject to approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Chicago gas prices hit new record, at more than $5 per gallon
According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $5.12 as of Tuesday morning.
Parents desperate, searching for options amid persistent nationwide baby formula shortage
Parents are struggling to keep up with the nationwide shortage of baby formula – with several retailers now limiting how much you can buy. So what do you do if you can't find any?
Health
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FDA clears COVID-19 booster shot for healthy kids ages 5 to 11
There is one more hurdle: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must decide whether to formally recommend the booster for this age group.
Abbott baby formula plant could reopen in two weeks
Sturgis plant will reopen soon as nationwide out-of-stock levels of baby formula rise above 40%.
COVID-19 reaches 'high' community risk level in Evanston
The Evanston Department of Health and Human Service reported 397 new COVID-19 cases over the last seven days – up from 305 the prior week.
Advocate Aurora Health merging with Charlotte-based Atrium Health
Advocate Aurora Health will be merging with Atrium Health.
CPS launches 'Please Stay' campaign to promote mental health and prevent teen suicides
Chicago Public Schools has become the first school district in the nation to launch a new anti-suicide campaign created by Lady Gaga's Born This Way foundation.
Business
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City Council committee to vote on Chicago casino plan, which has some neighbors thinking of selling condos and leaving
There is still a push from nearby residents to stop the billon-dollar Bally's project that is planned for the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West.
Crime and chaos downtown and beyond are keeping tourists away from Chicago
Such events as the chaos downtown that led to a deadly shooting right in the middle of Millennium Park have led people to cancel trips, meetings, and events in Chicago because they don't feel safe.
Carvana tower in Skokie put on hold after Illinois suspends dealer's state license
The village of Skokie is telling Carvana it cannot build a proposed 14-story car vending tower, just three months after the project won approval from village trustees.
FTX cryptocurrency exchange opens new headquarters in Chicago
Mayor Lori Lightfoot helped cut the ribbon Tuesday morning to open the official U.S. headquarters of FTX, a Bahamas-based cryptocurrency exchange.
Bally's unveils further plans for Chicago casino; some aldermen say it's being pushed through too fast
The city did not conduct a new safety study to determine how crime would be impacted by a casino - in hopes of getting the casino up and generating revenue quickly.
Sports
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Cubs lose to Diamondbacks, drop second straight
Zac Gallen pitched five effective innings, Daulton Varsho homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cubs on Thursday night.
White Sox finish 3-game series with 7-4 victory over the Royals
Luis Robert homered and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Kansas City City Royals 7-4 Thursday to win the five-game series.
Two Chicago area college players hope to make their mark next month at the NBA draft combine
"Even though teams are interviewing me, it's almost like I'm interviewing them as well, trying to learn."
Quigley misfires on game's final shot, Sky lose to Seattle Storm
Ezi Magbegor scored 21 points, Breanna Stewart added 13 and the Seattle Storm held on to beat the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night.
Tough night for Giolito as White Sox lose to Royals
Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez homered and fellow rookie Emmanuel Rivera hit a go-ahead triple, leading the Kansas City Royals over the Chicago White Sox Wednesday night.
Weather
Entertainment
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CBS unveils 2022-2023 primetime lineup
CBS announced its 2022-2023 primetime programming lineup of CBS Originals, featuring four new dramas and more.
Dave Chappelle attacked by armed man while onstage in L.A.
The controversial comic laughed off the incident after being tackled, and video appeared to show the person who charged him being beaten onstage.
Naomi Judd, Grammy-winning singer, has died at 76
"We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness," the Judd sisters said on social media.
'Jersey Boys' is returning to a Chicago stage next week
The new national tour of "Jersey Boys" opens next week at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, celebrating the music of the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Lollapalooza announces daily lineup; single-day tickets now on sale
The lineup includes Thursday headliners Metallica and Lil Baby, Friday headliners Dua Lipa and Machine Gun Kelly, Saturday headliners J. Cole and Kygo, and Sunday headliners Green Day and Doja Cat.
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Chicago First Alert Weather: Storms coming Friday, big drop in temperatures for weekend
CBS 2 Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon has your 10 p.m. First Alert Weather forecast for Thursday, May 19, 2022.
New curfew rule now in effect at Millennium Park
From Thursday through Sunday after 6 p.m., minors are not allowed in Millennium Park unless accompanied by an adult 21 or over. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reports.
Some neighbors say Chicago casino would ruin their views and quality of life
There is still a push from nearby residents to stop the billon-dollar Bally’s project that is planned for the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site in River West. CBS 2's Jermont Terry reports.
Chef beaten in Chinatown has now awoken from coma
Renowned suburban chef Jin Lew is out of a coma after being beaten and left for dead following a carjacking last month.
All accounts say boy, 13, was unarmed when he was shot by Chicago Police
Police Supt. David Brown said the teen ran out of a car that had been stolen downtown and was also connected with an auto theft in Oak Park. CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reports.
Latest Galleries
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62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards Red Carpet Gallery
The best looks from the 62nd annual GRAMMY Awards on CBS.
Apollo 11: 'The Eagle Has Landed'
2019 GRAMMY Awards Red Carpet Gallery
Red carpet looks from the 61st annual GRAMMY Awards on CBS.
2018 Grammy Nominations
Check out some of the exceptional nominees for the 2018 GRAMMYs, only on CBS!
Bears After Dark With Cody Whitehair
