I just wanted to comment on the efficiency of Nicor's "Credit Assistance" service. I received a notice of pending disconnection on Monday, called the credit assistance line the same day and just today received a call back from a "supervisor" named Amanda. I have not had work in weeks - no doubt a common complaint among Nicor's customers in the current economic times - but told both associates I spoke to that I could pay half the amount due today and the remainder next week. The only "assistance" they offered me was that they would shut off my service if I didn't pay the total amount due. They offered no alternative whatsoever, so not only is the "credit assistance" title a total farce, but I completely wasted my time in even contacting them. Why recommend this service to customers if there is no credit assistance to speak of? We're not talking about a ridiculously large or overdue bill here, either. I've had a perfect payment history with Nicor for 5+ years in my current residence, and they still treated me like a deadbeat. If there was any option BUT Nicor in this area, they'd already be out of business.