Attorney General Provides Resources to Protect Kane County Electricity Consumers
Recent stories of aggressive energy company solicitations in Kane County, mainly in Big Rock Township and North Aurora, are now on the radar of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Protecting consumers and businesses that have been victimized by fraud, deception or unfair competition is one of the primary functions of the Attorney General’s Office. To help Illinois residents make educated choices about switching energy suppliers, the office has prepared several publications regarding consumer choice in the electric and natural gas markets.
- Click Here for the “Choosing a Natural Gas or Electricity Supplier” Brochure.
- Click Here for “Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Alert.“ (Also available in Spanish here.)
The Attorney General’s Office encourages communities to share and distribute this information widely, especially in areas like Big Rock Township and North Aurora, where these aggressive solicitors are being reported. According to Assistant Attorney General Anna P. Crane, the Consumer Protection Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s office may be able to help.
“To the extent that we can be a resource on these issues going forward, please do not hesitate to reach out,” she said.
Consumers can also file a complaint using the consumer fraud hotline by calling 1-800-386-5438 or using the Consumer Complaint Online Submission Form, “so that the Attorney General’s office might be able to investigate and consider enforcement actions when appropriate,” Crane said.
Know Your Options
The Attorney General’s Office offers this advice:
Check your utility bill to determine the source of your supply.
- Are you purchasing natural gas or electricity supply from your utility company or an alternative supplier?
Find out how much you are paying by locating your supply rate on your utility bill.
- How much is the rate for supply?
- What type of rate is it? (A fixed rate charges a different rate each month based on market conditions.)
- Is it a temporary introductory rate? If so, how long will it last?
- Is there a monthly fee or other additional charge?
Compare your rate. You can compare utility and alternative supplier prices online.
- Electricity prices: http://www.pluginillinois.org/offersbegin.aspx
- Natural gas prices: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/ags/products.aspx
Decide if you should switch.
- If the utility is cheaper, consider switching back to the utility company. You may be charged a fee of up to a maximum of $50 for cancelling with the alternative supplier, but it may save you money in the long run.
Be careful when shopping around.
- If you are considering switching, do not share your account information unless you are ready to enroll. Take a couple of days to consider every offer.
About the Office of the Illinois Attorney General
The Attorney General is the state’s chief legal officer and is responsible for protecting the public interest of the state and its people.
The job of the Attorney General is to:
- Advocate on behalf of all of the people of Illinois;
- Legislate with members of the General Assembly for new laws; and
- Litigate to ensure state laws are followed and respected.
The Attorney General provides services that cover a broad range of issues, reaching every corner of Illinois.
SOURCE: Kane County Division of Environmental & Water Resources
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