Another reader told me to use this link to save money: https://www.ameren.com/illinois/account/customer-service/bill/power-smart-pricing/ This is the cheapest way to save money! A reader told me you can Opt-Out at anytime. As of October 1st would be a good time. By: Diane Benjamin Like really high electricity bills? If you didn’t opt out of either the Bloomington […]
By: Diane Benjamin I’m seeing lots of posts on social media like this one: Rent is becoming unaffordable: https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/rent-is-becoming-unaffordable-to-illinoisan-according-to-new-report/ Water rates in Bloomington have now increased 66% in less than 2 years. Next May 1st the 100% increase will be in effect to fund “generational investment”: https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/departments/water/resident-community/water-rate-increase-and-capital-project-updates Items on the same Bloomington bill, like garbage, […]
More information is available – see the bottom of this page. With higher rates demand is increasing. . More information:
By: Diane Benjamin Last Friday I attended the annual Corn Belt Energy meeting. These aren’t boring, they throw in enough humor and fun to keep my interest. (Which they wouldn’t if all they did was read financial statements!) I found out why Corn Belt rates aren’t skyrocketing while Ameren rates are. Corn Belt buys electricity […]
By: Diane Benjamin According to this story, Ameren rates are increasing 50% from June 1 – September 30: https://khqa.com/news/local/ameren-illinois-customers-face-50-electricity-rate-hike-from-june-1-due-to-new-pricing Do some homework! This is a state website listing alternative suppliers. The Ameren rate is before the 50% increase, you would have to contact the others to see if their rates are increasing. I have no […]
By: Diane Benjamin https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-04-16/some-electric-bills-in-bloomington-normal-are-about-to-go-up Excerpt: The new rate starting in June will be close to 40% higher than what energy customers are currently paying — with rates rising from $.07 to nearly $.11 per kilowatt hour. MUCH higher electric bills follow Bloomington raising water rates May 1st by another THIRD for what they deemed “generational” […]
By: Diane Benjamin 1) Biological males are using female restrooms at Normal Community. The rights of females are immaterial. Cancel culture cancelled the right to privacy for females. 2) Refer back to this story: https://blnnews.com/2023/02/22/proof-normals-staff-runs-the-town/ Remember all those “community” meetings Normal had to hear what people wanted to see in Uptown South? The email Mercy […]
By: Diane Benjamin Want to know why taxpayers have to pay $51,290 to make Uptown Circle ADA compliant? Somebody filed a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General who investigated and told Normal it doesn’t comply. Evidently that person did not approach the Town first. The biggest item is adding a handrail, but the ramp is […]
By: Diane Benjamin Someday SLBB is going to end. It cost you MILLIONS because employees were allowed to spike their pensions which meant additional funds had to be paid into the retirement system. Add that to the MILLIONS spent on a never used fire station and more spent on a never used water tower. Add […]
By: Diane Benjamin This story is from April 21, 2020: https://blnnews.com/2020/04/21/normal-last-night-part-1/ The story proves Normal’s claim of being environmentally friendly is false. To be labeled an Energy Star building it must be rated at least 75, 11 Uptown on rated 43. The rating is based on energy consumption as compared to other like buildings. That […]
By: Diane Benjamin I received the following email unsolicited in response to the Ameren story last week. The guy who originally contacted me still has questions about the situation, look for the story to continue. Meanwhile, if you have an Ameren problem – here’s the contact info. From: “Stockton-Shangraw, Stacey” <@ameren.com> To: “‘blnnews@yahoo.com’” <blnnews@yahoo.com> Sent: […]
By: Diane Benjamin I frequently get tips from readers, I really appreciate it since I can’t be everywhere! One note: Don’t send me anonymous tips in the mail and think I am going to research your issue. I need people willing to talk, I don’t have time for goose chases. I’m also really good at […]
Bloomington and Normal both DEFEATED electric aggregation in March for numerous reasons. The biggest being: Nobody informed the voters it would be on the ballot! It was cutely worded to make people think the “government is looking out for you”. Bunk. Did they inform you THEY would make money too? Did they tell you it […]
