Reduce Your Phone, Gas and Electricity Bill

On Wednesday, March 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Skokie Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Commission (STAT), in collaboration with the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), will offer a free seminar on how to reduce your electric, natural gas and phone (cellular) bills. The clinic is free to Skokie residents and will be held at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street. Participants must reserve their individual session by March 5 by calling the Village Manager’s Office at 847/933-8257. The clinic can accommodate up to 50 attendees and spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participants should bring two or three months of their utility bills for a one-on-one consultation with a CUB expert who will search for ways to lower their utility costs.

At CUB’s clinic, consumers will get information on:

· CUB Energy Saver, www.CUBenergysaver.com, a free online service that has helped consumers cut energy bills by an average of more than $100 a year.

· How to spot unnecessary charges on electric, natural gas and phone bills. Including cell phone bills.

· The low-cost Consumer’s Choice local-calling plans, designed by CUB under a legal settlement with AT&T. The plans have been saving Illinois consumers an average of about $200 a year.

· Illinois’ best long-distance plans and how to get a $10 credit negotiated by CUB. That amounts to about five hours of free calls.

· Line-Backer, a costly—and optional—AT&T service that most people don’t need.

· CUB’s Cellphone Savings Center, www.CUBCellPhoneSaver.com, which gives the latest tips and information to cut wireless costs.

Attendees should bring two or three months of their phone, electric, and gas bills so CUB experts can look them over. For more information please contact the Village Manager’s Office at 847/933-8257.