Rep. Gabel to Host Phone and Utility Bill Clinic

State Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-18th) and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will be hosting a phone and utility bill clinic in Evanston to help consumers cut their billing costs by hundreds of dollars a year.

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A CUB study has estimated that Illinois callers could be overpaying by more than $1 billion a year—but most could enjoy big savings by making a few simple changes on their phone bills. CUB has shown customers how to save millions of dollars through their website, www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org, and free clinics that give tips on how to slash local and long-distance bills.

The clinic will be held:

Wednesday, October 12; 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Levy Center

300 Dodge Ave.

Evanston, IL

Attendees must bring their phone and utility bills so CUB experts can analyze them and give cost-cutting tips

Consumers frequently complain that they can’t get reliable information from the utility company, which often just throws them a sales pitch for a more expensive plan. At CUB’s clinics, however, citizens will receive helpful tips about:

*The CUB Cellphone Saver, an online tool that automatically analyzes individual wireless bills.

*Illinois’ best long distance plans, including how to get an automatic $10 credit negotiated by CUB

*Have the opportunity to enroll in the CUB Energy Saver, a program that monitors your efforts to reduce energy consumption and rewards points that can be redeemed for discounts and coupons at area businesses.

“I am happy to be able to bring a consumer advocate like the Citizens Utility Board to my community and provide tips on how to save money. In these trying economic times, services like this should be available to everyone” said Gabel.

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