" Although I haven't been "asked" if I wanted to pay outstanding electric bills I bet I will anyway if this is approved.... "

" They must have gotten their idea from the health insurance companies and hospitals. If someone doesn't pay, just charge the rest of their customers who do pay (literally). It's the American way, right? "

" In a filing this week with the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Ameren Illinois utilities are asking to charge its customers for all the 2008 power and natural gas bills that went unpaid called uncollectibles.....Ameren spokesman Leigh Morris said he didnt know how much money that would be."

LOL!!! Only Ameren would ask to charge customers, without even giving any type of monetary amount. They have guts. Asking to raise our bills, and charge us for them not collected payments. Here is an idea bring pack the payment center to town. Maybe then payments could be made easier. "

" If Ameren's business model does not already account for this in their pricing structure, and I bet it does, they are really stupid and deserve to go belly up and have their company sold for pennies on the dollar. "

" It makes no sense to me that Ameren could even ask their own customers to pay for others to pay for unpaid utilities for 2008 when they DO receive a tax writeoff, I would think, for their loss! They also, eventually, seek collection services, and I would think collect on many of those bills. Would that be fair for other paying customer, who do pay their bills on time every month to get a bill hike just to cover those who won't? Plus, it would encourage people to NOT pay their bills! In addition, with the tax credit, and collections, and us paying the tab, Ameren, would be more than double-dipping! How can they not know how much money they would need? Sounds to me like some CEO's are looking to put some extra money in their pockets! (like many other companies do!) I pray the people will appear at the public meetings and our voices will be heard - together! Our state is nearly communist the way it is...everything we do is mandated and governed! Let's protect our own pocketbooks and attend! Write letters to the Il. Commerce Commission and whoever else may help! If not, we will all be in MORE poverty...and the power company will be even MORE filthy rich! "

" Wow ,I can agree with Jr again on something,plus they might want cosider having somebody answer the phone once-n-awhile. "

" They can stick that idea where the sun doesnt shine and the moon doesnt glow. Thats just the cost of doing buisness.Get over it!!! "

" What will they think of next? This is a ridiculous attempt to "cover" some of their losses. Why should "we" who do pay our bills in a timely manner, pay for those who don't? This will not fly. Maybe we need to start writing letters of protest to Flider, Quinn, and the Illinois Commerce Commission. "

" Thank God that I don't have anything to do with Ameren. They were theives before I left, and it doesn't look like they have changed a bit since I've been gone. I love the sunshine state! "

" Sounds just like the health care industry. Those who have health insurance are paying more and more to make up for all the unpaid bills of those who don't. "

" Wow! Talk about opening a can of worms. Bad debt is, and has always been, a part of doing business. What's next, will the banks and other businesses start asking for the same. Even though the cost of bad debts has always been passed off, at least is wasn't done in such a blatant manner. Let's hope our elected leaders don't sell us down the river on this one.

Campaign donation information from all sources should be more readily available. It would be interesting to see who Amerin donated to and how much, as I'm sure this will effect the votes of our elected officials on this matter. We have the best politicians in Illinois that money can buy, and that goes for our local guys too. "

" I'm all for helping others, but honestly, I pay my bills - why am I going to pay other people's bills? We work hard to pay our bills and have the things that we have, companies and the government just keep taking more of it to pay for "other people". At some point we are going to become those "other people" and millions more just like us will too. Then who will pay our bills? "

" Charging the rest of us for the unpaid bills may just result in more unpaid bills. We are already paying way too much now and some of us are on limited income, and some are not making the money we used to. "

" We've participated in Ameren's "dollar more" program for years now--but that has been voluntary. Making appeals for contributions is one thing, but forcing those of us who are responsible about paying our bills each month to pay for those who are not is way over the top. Sheez--I used to go to church with a woman who was quite blase about not paying her bills, yet she could afford to go out and eat every Sunday. Most people don't mind helping those who are down on their luck, but Ameren's policy would be one of rewarding irresponsibility.

J.R., it isn't that difficult to place the bill and a check in an envelope and mail it; Ameren does provide the envelope. "

" Some people have got alot of nerve...61912. Give me a break. You are quick to jump on this on line format and complain. People in glass houses should not throw stones. Some people really know how to play the system. Keep up the good work, it will all pay off in the end. "

" I guess my post criticising our local politicians didn't make the cut. I suppose they are above criticism. Considering that my rebuke was rather tame, I'm surprised, but not shocked, as I have had stronger comments go through. "

" Mr. Flider needs to go. He has been in bed with Ameren for too long. I have heard that some of the people working in the offices at Ameren, not the big shots mind you, make over $100,000 a year. Maybe they should be helping by paying this off. "

" Hey! Don't you guys want a safe and effective power grid? "

" Wow !!! tell me again how much PROFIT Ameren made last quarter, sorry...But I work hard and the "profit" I make goes to grocery store,"sales and q-pons" MY cips bill, water bill, doctor bills etc....I don't mind helping when I can, but its bull crap that I HAVE to pay for others, so they can move and get a bill put in anouther persons name, again again, again..... "

" Ironicly the bill that allows this seems to have been, the affordable energy bill, signed in July.

Here is some of its scope, from

pww.org/article/articleview/16339/

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The measure creates a payment option for low-income customers, caps the amount those customers pay for utilities and expands an energy efficiency program.
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Senate Bill 1918 was sponsored by Democrats Senator Kimberly Lightford and House Representative Robert Flider and was passed by Illinois lawmakers overwhelmingly with strong bipartisan support.
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The measure requires utility companies to participate in bill payment assistance programs for customers through a Percentage of Income Payment Plan. The PIPP makes it possible for tens of thousands of low-income households to pay an affordable amount each month for their gas and electricity bills, allowing eligible customers to pay no more than 6 percent of their income towards their energy costs.
---
The new program targets households across the state with incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level guideline.
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Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who has been in the headlines lately after announcing she will not be running for governor or senator, was instrumental in collaborating with the parties responsible for making the measure a success.

In a press statement she said, This new law protects the interests of consumers by mandating significant ethics reforms at the agency that sets energy prices and by making it easier for families to invest in energy efficiency programs and bring down the cost of their utility bills.
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The bill also allows electric and gas utility customers to purchase cost-effective energy efficiency products or services with no required up-front payment and expands the program to include natural gas. Customers who take advantage of this program can pay the costs of products and services over time on their utility bills.

Illinois will now be at the head of the class when it comes to saving energy, said Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Clubs Illinois chapter.

This legislation is going to save us all $10 billion over the next decade, and make the air we breathe cleaner and healthier. Coupled with a similar program to cut electricity bills enacted in 2007, and with new requirements for renewable energy, Illinois is making a fast transition to the clean energy economy of the future, he said,
in a press statement.

The bill requires Illinois natural gas utilities to reduce natural gas use seven percent below todays levels by 2020, and an additional 1.5 percent per year thereafter.

Utility companies are expected to meet this target with new programs, incentives, and assistance to help homeowners winterize their homes and upgrade to better gas appliances, and help businesses cut costs by reducing their natural gas consumption.

The program will be implemented by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Limited enrollment PIPP pilots will be available starting in the fall. The full implementation of the PIPP statewide will occur by September 2011. For more information consumers can call 1-877-411-9276. "

" I take pride in paying all my bills, even though I live on a salary of only $7,400 annually. That is less than $713 each month. Since I can take care of all my bills with such a limited income, I see no reason why I should be forced to cover for spendthrifts & pikers, who cannot manage their money effectively.

If they are too stupid to CYA for themselves, they should be forced to work off their debts.

Ameren is trying to show everyone that stupidity & personal unaccountability pays off, = which is totally WRONG in my book!

Glad I was raised better than that. "

" Why should we pay for credit (service provided without payment) by CIPS? We are bailing our another huge corporation for their losses.

Does this mean when they make a profit, they will return money to us? "

" CrowWoman wrote on Sep 5, 2009 8:59 AM:
J.R., it isn't that difficult to place the bill and a check in an envelope and mail it; Ameren does provide the envelope. "


My point was more to the fact that they moved out of the state. Taking away the pay center here in town. Also more and more people are moving away from using checks, and paying via debit or cash. If the pay center was still here it you could just drive by or at the time thru and pay. "

" I can't believe so many people do not know this is how Hospitals have to operate. Yes that is why your bills are inflated,because of all the illegal Aliens and others who walk into the ER for health care. The Law your Politicians passed demands they be treated.
All other business's have this factor built into their prices. Yes even the shop lifter factor!! Business have to or they are out of business.
Utility companies operate under a little different system that has to have rates approved by over site panels.
Also for those who live in La La Land,Government Grants are not FREE $$$ the Government has NO money except for what they STEAL from someone else. "

" I agree with a lot of what has been said about this being ridicolous!!! Many of us have been hit hard by this economy, many of us live on a fixed income why should anyone get stuck paying bills for those who can't or don't pay their power bill? The first three bills I pay are my rent,power and car insurance, next is food and stuff that is needed to run a household such as toliet paper laundry soap etc, everything else comes after that. I have no issues with helping those who are truly in need but as somone said there are those that play the system. And most business do get what is called a "bad debt write off" a freind of mine is taking business managment classes and she confirmed that is true when I asked her last night after reading this article. I think once again Ameren is looking to line their pockets and what they don't get is if they go ahead with this it will make it harder for more people to pay their bills and cost the company even more money!! I can't understand why they don't just put those who have unpaid bills into collections isn't that what most businesses do? "

" People, the SB 1918 was signed in July of this year, and provides (if approved by the Commerce Commision) an extra 8 cents added charge for residential, and a higher rate (don't know how much) to businesses and industry. Multiply that by all the customers, times 12 months and you get a lot of extra money (16 million dollars or so). Is there a "sunset" deadline when this extra charge would expire?
Hope the public outrage will bombard the Illinois Commerce Commision to void this very unfair tax on us who pay our bills on time to help those who don't. We are taxed too much already. "

" Harry Potter wrote on Sep 5, 2009 8:07 AM:
" Wow! Talk about opening a can of worms. Bad debt is, and has always been, a part of doing business. What's next, will the banks and other businesses start asking for the same.
-------------
Well the banks already have and keep getting theirs.

Isnt that exactly what the Tarp I and Tarp II were?

Heck maybe thats where Ameren got the idea.

A bail out for the bad debts accumulated by the finical intuitions making loans to those who they knew couldnt pay, then getting the money from the Government when in fact they didnt pay and eventually from us the taxpayers who always end up paying. "

" Talk about a circle, raise rate so more people can't afford their bills, charge others for non payment, then, more people can't afford to pay their bills. "

" It'll end up being perfectly legal and they'll just scarf down till they're nearly but not quite sated and you'd better pay up or they'll just turn you off. "

" When Hell freezes over, Ameren! "

" As much I dont like the idea of my bill going up any further, I accept the fees cause really its we all pay up or we ALL lose power.
Power is indeed not a neccesity.
Other people in our world do without it.
That having been said:
we should push for public power or at least Nuclear power plants.
Privatizing is where all our problems began... "

" Having wrecked the world economy with their "free market" Ponzi scheme frauds, the Wall Street bankers are now betting on the deaths of senior citizens.
The bankers plan to buy life settlements, life insurance policies that ill and elderly people sell for cash $400,000 for a $1 million policy, say, depending on the life expectancy of the insured person. Then they plan to "securitize" these policies, in Wall Street jargon, by packaging hundreds or thousands together into bonds. They will then resell those bonds to investors, like big pension funds, who will receive the payouts when people with the insurance die.
Well, with the economy already wrecked by Wall Street, I imagine people will be dying sooner than expected, giving Wall Street a tidy profit. "

" My recent Amerenopoly bill showed how much it would be if they're granted the increase they are requesting. It's about a 6.8% increase. Everyone who is getting a 6.8% pay increase please reaise their hand. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? "

" In my opinion, Ameren needs to lower its prices so everyone could to use thier utilities. They gouge people to death and then expect others to pay thier expected fees.
I feel really sorry for the people that Ameren put in the position of not being able to meet thier utility bills.
WHAT IS THIS MATTER WITH THIS BUSINESS??? "

" Bob Flider, who was the one who sponsored the bill, used to work for Ameren. I think he is forgetting who he is working for. According to the article this bill has already been signed. Maybe we should send our Ameren bills to Mr. Flider so he can pay them off for us. "

" 3 words - Pizz On Ameren!

Those jackasses can stick this & any other rate increases up their collective behinds.

http://tinyurl.com/nlzetu

As Hammbone would say....

STAY OUTA MY WALLET!!!! "

" JIM1969 is 100% correct....

" If Ameren's business model does not already account for this in their pricing structure, and I bet it does, they are really stupid and deserve to go belly up and have their company sold for pennies on the dollar. "

The fact that Ameren is, ex post facto, seeking monies means either they DID NOT account for it, or they are seeking another means to generate revenue, even if it is shady. "

" Are u SERIOUS???? Well then when times are hard and moneys tight, we'll just call and tell em it's our neighbor's turn to pay for us. This is a load of crap. Noone is ordered to step in and pay on our fines and court costs when were unable to, so this should be considered the same way. You used it, you pay for it. Or you lose it. It's plain and simple. It's not our responsibility to pay for other peoples lack there of. I consider that fraud or a form of theft. They have no right to do this just because they have a business license, tax number, and have had there accountants create a way to launder the money. We have enough bills to pay. NO THANKS "

" Maybe I ought to quit paying my bill!!!!! Sorry as if that would solve anything. "

" I think if they want the customers to share the expense of unpaid bills THEY should share the profits (including putting executive salaries on a par with the average business owner or manager). "

" If you think things are bad now, wait until the Supreme hears a case presently scheduled that will allow unlimited campaign donations to our politicians from both unions and corporations. I'm betting the conservative leaning Supreme Court will approve it. Supposedly it's about freedom of speech.

This, in my opinion, is rediculous, and will allow special interests to have even more influence in Washington. "

" Harry did you by any chance see the Bill Moyers Journal this past Friday? He addressed this case. I mentioned in a Letter to the Editor I wrote that appeared in Sept. 1 paper but curiously wasn't posted online that "Big Brother" is in control, but Big Brother isn't the federal government or any other elected body, "Big Brother" is MAMMON! This Supreme Court case is great timing to reinforce my point. "

" Has Ameren forgotten about the $millions in federal money it already gets through the LIHEAP (Low Income HEating Assistance Program)for those who can't pay their bills? This is a scam and I couldn't be more disappointed in Flider. "

" All I can say is GFY Ameren. Here is an idea to save money. How about having your line workers shut off their vehicles every time they stop instead of keeping them running while they walk around the neighborhood. This summer I had a friend ask an Ameren employee to shut his truck off after he had been in the neighborhood for over an hour. The Ameren employee responded and I quote, " I don't see how that is any business of yours" and my friend replied, "Oh but it is, since we are the ones paying for the fuel." So, how bout it Ameren. How bout a policy that all lines people shut off their vehicles one the vehicle is stopped. I realize that it is to keep the airconditoning or heat on in the truck. God forbid you have to get cold or hot depending on what the weather is. You would also save fuel, let alone not adding more carbon to the atmosphere. Call it your part for Gaia. Going green and saving money starts with YOU! Perhaps Ameren taking these steps to go green could save us a little green in the process. "

" What????? What next? "

" It is nothing to see a tent over gas lines and guy in truck eating or writing on a clipboard. Some are outside of the tent and there are other cips trucks there also. Imagine if shutoff vehicles how much gas that save us consumers. When the smell added to the gas, nothing to see a group of cips men/women there also and standing and talking. It is a scam to get money when they receive iHEAP to help poor.
Just need a new way fleece the poor.
Who comesup with these ideas should be fired and no money when LET GO. "

" I didn't catch that one Susan, but I did see your letter as was anxious to see the postings on it. I didn't see any reason for it not to be put on line. I particularly liked your comment on the ends justifying the means mentality that so many seem to have, and I assumed you were referring to the controversial issue of torture that the past administration resorted to and how so many justify that barbaric practice. "

" Yes as somone said what about the LIHEAP help?? I had forgotten about that. The state provides funding to utility companies for those on limited incomes to be assisted with their utlilty bills so why is Ameren complaing about unpaid bills? I would think they'd be getting the LIHEAP funding . "

" What if I stop paying my bill? "

" Robin Hood and the band of Merry Men are at it again. "

" How the heck do people get away with not paying bills this is crazy. So does these people that didn't pay still have power and is this going to be an on going thing. People need to get jobs and stop being a sponge "

" With the economy and jobs like it is people every where are struggling to try and keep up just the necessary things.I do not think it is fair for customers who do pay their bills be required to pay for the ones who don't. We as Americans need our jobs back ,and stop sending them out of the UNITED STATES!! "

" Wow, and people say the President is the one who wants to force socialism on us. Ha! "

" Why are all the Marxists who scream for free health care for the have nots suddenly opposed to free electricity for the have nots? Would someone please define hypocrite. "

" Because DSTEW66 we pay for their lack of health care which costs more in the end than if we helped pay for their health care up front. It is very, very simple economics. Even someone like you should be able to grasp the point. "

" Hey JG-TC, how about an article about the loss of AmerenCIPS power to over a thousand people last night, twice, in the western half of Charleston, & a couple of other communties!?

Yeah, stuff like that just makes me really want to pay more out the arse for their shoddy service. "

" How about Ameren paying for those lost wages for people sent home from work last night due to power outage in Charleston. "

" Im setting here reading all of your posts a no one has said that Ameren already costs us 29.94 a month even if we use no gas or electric. This cost is just for being their customer. I used no gas in the month of June but it cost me 18.96 just for being a Ameren "Customer" and then they taxed me 1.00 on that "Customer Charge". So I sent 19.96 on my gas bill for not using anything.

I "WILL NOT BE PAYING FOR SOMEONE'S LACK OF ABILITY TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY BETTER". I guess I better put a retainer on a lawyer now. Cause Ameren the fight is on. "

" I don't it's fair to people such as I on a fixed income to made to be pay others bills.Now anyone can run their bill not pay it and leave and all of us have to pay the bill.That is so wrong.Why would a Governor agree to such a big mistake like that.You are punishing the wrong people for that.No wonder our country is not sticking together when we have this happening. "

" I wonder if we can claim this on our taxes If we are made to do this? "

" publichealth wrote on Sep 10, 2009 6:27 PM:

" Im setting here reading all of your posts a no one has said that Ameren already costs us 29.94 a month even if we use no gas or electric. This cost is just for being their customer. I used no gas in the month of June but it cost me 18.96 just for being a Ameren "Customer" and then they taxed me 1.00 on that "Customer Charge". So I sent 19.96 on my gas bill for not using anything.

You can avoid this by calling Ameren and having them shut off your gas service during the summer months when you are not using it. I got tired of paying for a service I had no need of, so I had it shut off until it got cold. "

" I think I will stop paying my CIPS bill and spend the money to buy thank you cards for all my friends and family after they get jacked with it every month. Perhaps I didnt pay close enough attention and my next question was answered, but are they going to be paid twice for the same outstanding bills? Lets say "Julie" had an outstanding bill of $500.00 and gets her power shut off and moves out of state. CIPS puts her outstanding balance on my bill over the course of a year and gets paid back the $500.00. A year from now when "Julie" moves back and tries to turn her power back on, does CIPS make her pay the $500.00 that she owed on her account, or is her debt wiped clean thanks to me? Do they get paid twice and profit off the same bad debt?! I hate Ameren. "

" Laveau, that's a very interesting question. I'd like to see an honest answer to it as well. "