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Chicago, Illinois
United States
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AARP
Hometown(s):
Chicago, IL - State Office
Springfield, IL - Legislative Office
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http://www.aarp.org/il

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Serving nearly 1.8 million members in Illinois, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all generations through positive social change. Recently, AARP unveiled Divided We Fail (www.dividedwefail.org), a national effort designed to engage the American people, elected officials and the business community to find solutions to the challenges of health care and long-term financial security. AARP Illinois provides information, resources and education for its members; engages in legislative advocacy; assists members in serving their communities; and offers a wide range of benefits, special products and services for members. AARP Illinois has two offices: AARP Illinois State Office 222 N. LaSalle, Suite 710 Chicago, IL 60601 AARP Illinois Legislative Office 300 W. Edwards, 3rd Floor Springfield, IL 62704

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For Immediate Release                                  Contact: Gerardo Cardenas  312-458-3609

November 2, 2009                                                         

                                     

AARP SET TO FIGHT AMEREN’S NEW RATE INCREASE PROPOSAL

 

Volunteers Attend Last 2009 Hearing, Urge ICC to Reject $162 million Increase 

 

DECATUR – Barely one year after hitting consumers with a multimillion dollar rate increase, Ameren is back at the trough – asking the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve an even larger rate hike. On behalf of its 1.8 million Illinois members, AARP is set to fight the utility company’s plans, urging the ICC to say “No Way!” to their request.

 

Ameren has asked the ICC for a $162 million increase on the delivery of electric and natural gas to its Illinois customers, barely a year after getting the go-ahead from the ICC to jack up their rates by the same amount. The state will render a decision in 2010. For working families and older adults living on fixed incomes, Ameren’s proposed rate hike comes at the worst possible time – with average annual increases estimated at nearly $125 for both services.

 

“The country is in a recession. Now is not the time for utility companies to seek rate increases,” said AARP volunteer Nancy Funk, who presented testimony during tonight’s ICC public hearing in Decatur, the last of the scheduled 2009 hearings on this rate case. “We urge the ICC to do the right thing, and reject Ameren’s proposal.”

 

AARP is encouraging its members and the public to attend the hearings and voice their opposition, and if they cannot attend them to call the ICC directly at 1-800-524-0795 and provide a direct comment. Consumers can also go online to http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/comment, and provide comments.

 

In the current economic downturn, utility bills are on the largest expenses individuals face every month. According to an AARP survey, older adults can spend nearly 20 percent of their income on utility costs, while almost half of people 50 and older said the recession has made it harder for them to pay their utility bills.

 

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Added: November 4, 2009
Views: 8 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Thanks for helping to Create the Good Illinois!
Posted: March 2, 2009 6:04PM EST
grandma01 says:

hi, just popping in to wish you a great weekend.
i am a retired travel agent living in south texas.
i have two grown daughters and four granddaughters.
luv cooking and new recipes.
take care, have a blessed day
carol
Posted: August 10, 2008 11:02AM EDT
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