SALUTE TO THE CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD
WHEREAS, On April 28, 2014 at a special event held at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, the Citizens Utility Board celebrates three decades of outstanding advocacy protecting the interests of the citizens of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, After the Illinois State Legislature enacted the Citizens Utility Board Act in 1983 and since the formation of the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) a year later, it has been singularly devoted to carrying out its mission to fight for lower rates and better service from this state's investor-owned electric, gas and phone companies on behalf of the residential utility consumer; and
WHEREAS, To date, CUB has secured more than $10 billion for consumers by blocking rate hikes and winning consumer refunds through challenging utility rate increases, winning rate reductions and refunds of overcharges, as well as contesting unfair regulatory decisions in the courts. A consumer hotline that CUB operates to provide assistance to individual consumers who have complaints against the utilities fields more than 6,000 calls annually; and
WHEREAS, CUB sponsors nearly 400 free events each year such as phone-bill and utility-bill clinics as well as staffing a table at senior fairs, public libraries, church basements and community centers across Illinois. Last year, CUB's outreach team demonstrated methods whereby consumers could cut their costs by a total of $15,293 at these events; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman ofthe 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body ofthe significant milestone reached by this noteworthy advocate agency; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and members ofthe City of Chicago City Council, gathered together on this 30th Day of April, 2014, do hereby salute the Citizens Utility Board on the occasion of their 30l Anniversary celebration and extend our very best wishes for continuing success in carrying out their praiseworthy and vital civic mission.
BE IT FURTHER...
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