Consumer advocates take Nicor Gas to task for rate hike
Consumer and environmental advocates said Monday that they found overcharges buried in the most recent rate-hike request by Nicor.
Watch CBS News
Consumer and environmental advocates said Monday that they found overcharges buried in the most recent rate-hike request by Nicor.
Consumer advocate groups Illinois PIRG and Citizens Utility Board said Peoples Gas' proposed $202 million rate hike is "bloated" and proposed cuts to what they called unwarranted costs Wednesday.
With Peoples Gas seeking a significant rate hike for next year, Chicago alders and residents spoke out on Tuesday at a City Council committee hearing on the proposal.
NIPSC customers gathered for the second time in under a week to protest against rising heating costs by the utility company.
Customers are seeing higher delivery fees from the utility companies and volatile gas prices straight from the source, after key issues, including January's nationwide snowstorm.
Customers are seeing a spike in their natural gas utility bills due to the cold snap, leaving some to worry that customers will make dangerous decisions to offset the rising costs.
Wondering why your natural gas bill has spiked as of late? One watchdog says there are a few factors.
Wondering why your natural gas bill has spiked as of late? One watchdog says there are a few factors.
Protesters on Tuesday were cranking up the heat on Peoples Gas over a recently proposed rate hike that would add an additional $10 to $11 a month to utility bills.
As the cold Chicago winter begins and households start staring down rising heating bills, ComEd is launching a new discount for people with qualifying household income to help with their electricity costs.
CBS News looked at the cost of producing coal, gas, nuclear, wind and solar energy to determine which is the cheapest.
The food is processed into gas and compost using a technology called anaerobic digestion.
The food is processed into gas and compost using a technology called anaerobic digestion. Tara Molina reports.
The 2,000-pound pipe has been in use since 1861 — the year Abraham Lincoln took office as president and the Civil War started.
In 2023, Oak Park passed the Electrification Ordinance, which outlawed the use of natural gas in all newly built homes and buildings. It is part of the town's goal to get to zero emissions by 2050.
In 2023, Oak Park passed the Electrification Ordinance, which outlawed the use of natural gas in all newly built homes and buildings.
The Illinois Commerce Commission said the expansive project can't come at an unreasonable cost to customers, who have been upset about rising gas bills in recent years.
An advocate says if the Illinois Commerce Commission approves a project that replaces Peoples Gas' entire system of underground gas mains in the city, the rates could be catastrophic.
According to the Citizens Utility Board, it will cost another $12.8 billion to complete the project--$5 billion more than previous estimates.
The gas hike approved in November was the largest gas utility rate hike in Illinois history.
Nicor Gas said there is no need for concern, but they will investigate any natural gas odor reports just to be safe.
Nicor Gas announced it is conducting utility work near Richmond and Spring Grove. The company said crews transferring a natural gas odorant.
Supporters of the so-called Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance said it's an effort to tackle the global climate issue.
A Nicor spokesperson said they're looking into an incident in Iowa that caused the smell carrying into the Chicago area.
There were multiple reports Tuesday night in Lake and McHenry counties in Illinois of residents saying they smelled natural gas. A Nicor spokesperson said they’re looking into an incident in Iowa that caused the smell carrying into the Chicago area.
City leaders and first responders will hold a press conference Monday morning to inform people how to stay cool and safe during the extreme heat.
The new flag is inspired by the "Skokie Spirit" stained glass at the village hall.
Jacob Webb (3-2) got the win with a scoreless ninth. Wicks notched his first save of the season.
Miguel Vargas homered and doubled for the White Sox (43-39), who fell to 17-10 in one-run games.
Las Vegas is 4-1 in its last five games.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker held a ceremony for the signing of three bills to strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans on Sunday morning.
Fourteen new laws will go into effect in Illinois on July 1, 2026.
Prediction market Kalshi sued Illinois on Tuesday, seeking to block new taxes and license requirements set to take effect July 1.
The U.S. military says it hit Iranian targets over Iran's drone attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first American strikes on Iran since the two countries formally agreed to extend a ceasefire last week.
Led by Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, a group of Senate Democrats suggested the Justice Department violated its internal policies with the creation of the "anti-weaponization" fund.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed several new consumer protections into law, including a ban on junk fees.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week.
A new study from the Cook County Treasurer's office underlines growing concerns about the impact the Illinois megaprojects bill could have on the county's property tax base and overall fiscal health.
The north Chicago suburb of Glenview became the latest Illinois municipality this week to confirm mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus this year.
Environmental and community groups are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to act on a petition challenging U.S. Steel Gary Works operating permit renewal.
In the four years since Roe v. Wade was overturned and Illinois became a destination for abortion care, Illinois providers and advocates have rebuilt the state's infrastructure to support the tens of thousands of people who travel to the state for abortion services every year.
June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, raising awareness of a disorder that affects a person's ability to speak, write, and understand both spoken and written language.
The Chicago Department of Public Health issued a warning Tuesday about a possible measles exposure at O'Hare International Airport.
The Chicago Bears this weekend said they are assessing land at Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, Indiana, for a possible new stadium.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
Daley's Restaurant, known as Chicago's oldest, has served Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood for more than 130 years.
Walgreens is set to close in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, and there's growing concern about where families will get their medications.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
Lionel Richie's Chicago concert at the United Center has been postponed after the singer became sick at his tour opener in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Legendary musician Lionel Richie had to cut his performance short Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, leaving fans with many questions.
Clive Davis helped shape the careers of music stars including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston.
Claude Guillemot and a flight instructor were flying in a twin-motor Cessna 421 on Friday evening. An investigation into the crash is underway.
James Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television, including every episode of the original "Will & Grace."
According to the village's website, the board adopted a new village seal in March 2025, replacing the one used since the 1940s. The old flag still uses that seal.
Dozens of people packed into Bunena Park's Saint Mary of the Lake Parish to pray for those who've lost loved ones in the devastating earthquake and those who are still missing.
Police said one of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries and is still in the hospital. The victim's ages and genders were not released.
Meteorologist Kylee Miller has the latest in First Alert Weather.
The two countries have spent this weekend exchanging missile and drone strikes, with Iran targeting two U.S. allies.
City leaders and first responders will hold a press conference Monday morning to inform people how to stay cool and safe during the extreme heat.
Officers found three people who had been hit by a vehicle, who had left the scene before they arrived.
The new flag is inspired by the "Skokie Spirit" stained glass at the village hall.
Hundreds of thousands lined Halsted Street, Belmont Avenue, Broadway, and Diversey Parkway on Sunday for the Chicago Pride Parade.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker held a ceremony for the signing of three bills to strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ Illinoisans on Sunday morning.
An Uber driver who was assaulted during a ride said he begged Chicago police officers not once but twice for help, but was left to fend for himself.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office has been a part of Illinois' enhanced CTA security plan and state-led task force dedicated to making it safe since the end of March. Their officers have worked more than 4,000 hours a month.
A rideshare driver was shot in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood on Monday night.
After a violent holiday weekend, Chicago city leaders are expected to announce new support for a dedicated Department of Gun Violence Prevention.
Jacob Webb (3-2) got the win with a scoreless ninth. Wicks notched his first save of the season.
Miguel Vargas homered and doubled for the White Sox (43-39), who fell to 17-10 in one-run games.
Las Vegas is 4-1 in its last five games.
The Chicago Bears this weekend said they are assessing land at Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, Indiana, for a possible new stadium.
Seiya Suzuki and Michael Conforto also homered for the Cubs, who moved 6 1/2 games behind the NL Central-leading Brewers, who had won the first four meetings between the teams this season.
Chicago police this weekend were warning people about a string of robberies on the city's South Side.
A man was shot and wounded early Sunday in Chicago's West Ridge community.
A man was left in critical condition after being shot while walking in Chicago's River North district early Sunday morning.
A 20-year-old Chicago man is accused of being the administrator of a Signal messaging group that was allegedly planning a terrorist attack on the UFC event at the White House.
Two people are dead after they were found shot behind a residential building in the Dunning community on Chicago's Northwest Side Thursday afternoon.
