Primer on Consumer Law and Public Utilities (04/30/26)

This seminar will provide a practical primer on consumer law issues in the public utilities space, with a focus on rising utility costs and their impact on consumers. Panelists will break down how utility rates are set, examine key drivers of increasing costs, review available assistance programs for consumers, and discuss emerging and ongoing issues in utility law, including fraud and consumer protection concerns. Designed for practitioners seeking a clear, nuts-and-bolts understanding of utility regulation and its consumer law implications.

TOPICS and SPEAKERS:
How Residential Utility Rates are Set 101, Rising Consumer Costs, and Consequences of Each
Daniel Schneider, Of Counsel, Legal Action Chicago; Chair, CBA Consumer Law Committee (Moderator)

Summary of the Laws the IL AG Uses in this Area, Update on Consumer Utility/Energy-Related Enforcement Efforts from the Past 5 Years or So, and a Preview of Emerging Issues in this Space
Christopher Kim, Deputy Bureau Chief, Public Utilities Bureau, Office of the Illinois Attorney General

Steps Illinois has Taken, and is Considering, to Provide Assistance to Low-Income Utility Consumers in the Past 5 Years, and Legal Questions Related to these Programs
Karen Lusson, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center

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Live CBA Committee meetings and seminars will take place via Zoom webinar.  You will click on "view video" and be directly connected to the meeting/seminar on Zoom.  (You will not receive a Zoom link.)

You MUST have Zoom Desktop Client on your Mac or PC to view a live program. If using a mobile device, you must have the Zoom App (available in the App Store or Google Play).

System requirements for Mac & PC can be found here. System requirements for mobile devices can be here.  

Please note that audience members do not need video or audio access.  Audience members are able to submit questions via the chat or Q & A features of Zoom. 

Chat: Open in-meeting chat, allowing you to send chat messages to and send a message to the host, panelists, and attendees (if permitted). Question & Answer: Open the Q&A window, allowing you to ask questions to the host and panelists. They can either reply back to you via text in the Q&A window or answer your question live.