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New Law Protects Illinois Natural Gas Consumers
New safeguards are in place for consumers who choose to use alternative natural gas suppliers in Illinois.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed into law Senate Bill 171 which prohibits alternative gas suppliers from using misleading marketing promises or false statements to lure customers, and requires the seller to disclose all prices and terms up front.

The law also allows customers to rescind a service agreement within ten business days after the first bill, limits termination fees to 50 dollars, and protects against unauthorized switching of gas suppliers without the permission of the consumer.

Governor Quinn says he is not only trying to reform the way government works, but also how businesses operate in the state of Illinois.

"As Governor, I want to make sure the people of Illinois know this day and every day that we're going to be on watch. Watchdogs for the public, the people of Illinois who are consumers buying a utility service - natural gas, electricity, telecommunications, water in many cases, also in respect to insurance and any other products in the marketplace. We've got to be on guard."

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says her office has received over 25-hundred complaints about natural gas suppliers since 2005.

The executive director of the Citizens Utility Board echoed Madigan's statement saying one of the biggest complaints to CUB has been about alternative gas suppliers.
05 09 09 by Newsroom
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