New Laws Protect Consumers from False Charges, Help them Resolve Billing and Credit Issues and Increase Utility Choice

CHICAGO - July 18, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today continued his long history of fighting for consumers by signing four new laws that will increase protections for consumers. The new laws ban false phone charges known as "cramming," lower utility costs for consumers and help them resolve billing and credit issues to improve their credit scores. The governor was joined by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, legislators and members of the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), the consumer rights watchdog group founded by Governor Quinn 30 years ago.

"When everyday people work together for the common good, we can improve our state," Governor Quinn said. "We need to keep fighting for consumer rights in Illinois and ensure those rights are protected from those who would take advantage of them."

House Bill 5211, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park) and Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), would ban third-party vendors from charging customers for unwanted services, a practice known as cramming, starting Jan. 1, 2013. The bill was an initiative of the Attorney General's office, which found vendors using deceptive sales pitches and placing unauthorized charges on consumers' phone bills for things they never intended to buy including calling cards, voice mail service, credit repair services, extended warranties and toll-free numbers for free long distance service.

Most often, these charges range from $10 to $45 dollars and go undetected because consumers do not pay attention to all the details in their phone bills. According to the Attorney General's Office, phone bill "cramming" is a $2 billion a year business. An estimated 15 to 20 million American households receive at least 300 million third-party charges on their bills each year. Only about one out of every 20 cramming victims becomes aware of the charges.

"Today we can finally put an end to a pervasive scam that has allowed phone companies to rake in $2 billion a year by 'cramming' charges on subscribers' bills for unwanted and unused services," Attorney General Lisa Madigan said. "Far too many consumers have opened their monthly phone bills to find bogus charges they never authorized. I applaud the governor for his support of this law to stop to our phone numbers being used as credit cards by scammers."

"This is an important measure to save consumers from hassle," said Rep. Burke. "This new law will prevent lots of businesses, nonprofits and everyday citizens from encountering this practice."

"No one should have to pay for services they don't want and didn't order," said Sen. Koehler.  "The fact that 'cramming' scam artists target seniors and other vulnerable Illinois residents makes me especially proud that we are outlawing this practice."

Governor Quinn also signed three additional laws to require utilities to notify credit-reporting bureaus when billing issues have been resolved and allow townships to aggregate power purchasing, which will increase competition and lower costs. The new laws are designed to lower utility costs for consumers and help them resolve billing and credit issues.

House Bill 5025, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lyons (D-Chicago) and Sen. John Mulroe (D-Chicago) will help consumers resolve negative action on their credit scores by requiring public utilities to notify credit reporting agencies when a customer has paid off their outstanding balances in full. This measure will allow utility customers to be more quickly relieved of pressure from collection agencies and help them improve their credit scores. The law goes into effect Jan. 1.

Senate Bill 3170 sponsored by Rep. JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch) and Sen. Suzi Schmidt (R-Lake Villa), allows townships to participate in electrical aggregation the same way counties and municipalities can under current law. Aggregation allows for greater group energy purchasing, which increases competition and lowers costs for consumers. According to the Illinois Commerce Commission, more than 90 municipalities have become power aggregators since 2010, which has allowed for greater consumer savings. The law goes into effect immediately.

Senate Bill 3811, sponsored by Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) and Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) protects the ability of certain groups to continue to benefit from "net metering," which allows customers who generate their own renewable energy to sell excess power back to an electricity provider. The new law takes into account the increased aggregation and alternative energy sources more Illinois communities are now using. The measure provides that net metering customers will be treated equally regardless of the competitiveness of their local energy market. The law goes into effect immediately.

Video by Luther College highlights positive impact of clean energy in Decorah, Iowa

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Energy Department launched the "Clean Energy in Our Community" video series, which will feature small communities throughout the country that are striving to become more sustainable, are investing in the green economy, and are bringing the benefits of clean energy to local residents and workers.  The Energy Department kicked off the series with a video from Luther College that highlights how Decorah, Iowa is benefiting from the projects undertaken by the college to reduce their energy consumption and deploy clean, renewable energy projects campus-wide.

"'Clean Energy in Our Community' will highlight small communities around the country working to promote clean renewable energy initiatives and how our colleges and universities in particular play a critical role in shaping our communities and driving America's clean energy economy," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.  "Luther College and Decorah, Iowa, are great examples of how our local communities can help lead the way in making sure that America wins the global clean energy race."

Many community partnerships are emerging due to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment. This commitment requires signatory colleges and universities to make sustainability a part of every student's learning experience and to achieve carbon neutrality at some point in the future.  The program has had broad impacts not only on the college and university campuses involved, but also in the communities as a whole.

For example, the Luther College Board of Regents recently committed the school to cutting its carbon footprint in half by 2015 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.  Luther has already reduced its carbon footprint 22% through various energy efficiency initiatives. Now it is investing in clean renewable energy.  Last fall, Luther installed a 1.6 megawatt wind turbine.  This summer Luther established the largest zero-emission facility in Iowa by using a 280 KW solar field to power a 100 plus student residential housing complex that uses geothermal energy to heat and cool the facility. Luther has also created an Office of Sustainability that helps the college prioritize projects to meet its goals.

"To work toward carbon neutrality, the college will evaluate additional major initiatives, including investments in LED lighting technology, centralized or decentralized cogeneration of electricity and heat, as well as more use of solar thermal and solar electric technologies," President Richard Torgerson, Luther College said. "Advances in new technologies, coupled with conservation initiatives, will play a major role in achieving these ambitious goals."

The wider community has embraced Luther's investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.  The City of Decorah only has a population of 8,000 people but many residents, businesses, and non-profit institutions have been taking steps to make the community more sustainable.  The city has three Energy Star Certified Buildings and several others may soon become certified.  In addition, the recently created Winneshiek Energy District has helped area residents invest more than $1 million dollars in energy efficiency programs over the past two years.

The Energy Department is committed to supporting communities like Decorah as they invest in clean renewable energy that reduces carbon pollution, creates local jobs and helps to drive local economies.  This series will help connect and feature our small communities nationwide that are investing in clean energy and playing a role in making sure the United States leads the world in the global race for the green jobs of the future.

###

Churches United is a Christian Organization who in part helps feed the hungry and shelter women and children in the Quad City Area.  To date this year they have served 45,531 individuals by way of emergency food pantries, served over 12,000 people at 3 meals sites, and sheltered 1527 lodging to a total of 128 women and children.  Winnie's Place stands for Women In Need Nurtured Into Excellence. The program is designed to not only provide shelter, but to help women to survive on their own once out of shelter.

Thank you Quad Cities for your many years of financial and volunteer support as Churches United has worked to meet the rising needs of hunger and shelter in the Quad Cities communities.  As you can imagine, it takes significant financial resources to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.  The community has been generous through donations to the various programs to address human need in the area.  Yet with a decrease in grant income has placed a decided pressure on other areas of income.  We are asking our communities for assistance to assure that families are able to continue to find food when they need it; that women with or without children can find a safe place to re-start their lives in a safe environment. Currently Churches United is facing a $30,000 short-fall in important income areas so the question arises:  Will you, the community help Churches United provide the food and the shelter that is so desperately needed?

Here are some thoughts about the importance of Winnie's Place, the Women's Shelter of Churches United, from someone who found hope within its walls.

I was invited to come back to Winnie's so I could get my kids back.  Well, I moved back in on a Tuesday and by Friday, I got my first weekend with 3 of my children.  Then I got to keep the youngest forever!  The twins came only on weekends for the next three weeks - now they are with me forever as well.  As for my oldest, he is back in town and is staying with my mother.  I'm not allowed to keep him overnight yet but soon I hope.  I also found a 3 bedroom, 2 baths plus a garage for 'low' through section 8.  YEAH!  We move on the 4^th, which is today.  I thank God and Winnie's Place so much because without their belief in me I couldn't have done it!  I remember when I first came here - I was so unsure.  Ya'll made it possible for me to start getting' my babies back.  Thank you.  I am forever grateful and couldn't have done all this without your support, through all my yelling, and crying to you.

Will you, the community, help Winnie's Place continue the ability to provide the hope that is so desperately needed in this community and the world?  Will you, the community, provide the resources to see that those who are hungry find the food that is needed?  We invite you to consider helping us meet the needs for the next 50 years and beyond.  It is easy to donate simply go to the Churches United website - www.cuqca.org - and utilize the "donate" button.  A Donation can also be made by mailing a check to:

Churches United

2535 Tech Drive, Suite 205

Bettendorf, IA 52722

Rev. Ronald C. Quay, Executive Director

563/332-5002

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today joined a bipartisan group of 59 lawmakers in calling on the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to ensure uniforms for future Olympics are manufactured in America.  It was recently reported that the uniforms for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams for the London Games designed by Ralph Lauren were manufactured in China. Loebsack is a member of the House Manufacturing Caucus, as well as the Make it in America Working Group.

"At a time when so many Americans are still searching for work, it is offensive that the USOC would not support our workers and their families by manufacturing the uniform here," wrote the Members of Congress.  "Team USA should wear uniforms that evoke more than just an image, but actual labor from workers and raw materials from America. Hard working Americans should have the privilege of manufacturing uniforms for Team USA.  The USOC should immediately adopt a policy to ensure that future uniforms are manufactured in America."

A copy of the letter can be found here.