Nicor Gas Meter estimations - over charging Naperville Illinois

I moved into a first new home in April, 2007 and Nicor is my natural gas provider. I have had issue after issue with them regarding multiple situations. This last one takes the cake though!

In November, 2007 Nicor estimated my meter reading and then did so again in December, 2007. I noticed that was 2 estimated readings in a row and was advised previously to call them if that happened. In January, 2008 I did call and request an actual meter reading. Nicor apparently complied, but when the technician entered my reading into the system the system "threw it out" and gave me an estimated reading anyways.

NOW THE REAL PROBLEM!

From November, 2007 through May, 2008 every single bill I received from Nicor was "estimated" even though I called more than one time to have them do an actual reading.

I then received a "Catch-up bill" in May for over $1450! I was confused how this happened and the deeper I dug into it the more was revealed to me.

What happened is they charged me the current rate for natural gas delivery in May for the months of Novemeber through April and this was over $150 more than I should have been charged because the rates for gas were lower from November to April. I want other consumers to know that they might be getting OVERCHARGED in their CATCH UP BILLS.

Yesterday Nicor called me (after several calls and complaints to the IL Commerce Commision (ICC), Citizens Utililty Board (CUB), and my Senator) and informed me they did in fact over charge me and my bill went from over $1450 to $1300 ($150 overcharged is criminal in my mind).

If every person who received a "Catch-up bill" was overcharged NICOR is making a killing and killing us - the consumer with no choice because Nicor is THE natural gas supplier.

James
Dixon, Illinois
U.S.A.