Subtitles section
Repeat sentence
Subtitles mode
Full screen
Previous
Next
x 1.0
Playback speed
More

Chicago retirees shocked at unexpected $65,000 increase in water bill

Video vocabulary

get

Copy vocabulary

US / ɡet /

UK / ɡɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To become affected by illness or disease
  • To begin to feel or understand an emotion or idea
  • To send or bring someone or something home, etc.
  • To go somewhere to obtain something
  • To (cause to) do a particular thing
  • To obtain, receive or be given something
  • To currently have
  • To prepare for use
  • To understand something being said or read

hard

Copy vocabulary

US / hɑ:d /

UK / hɑː(r)d /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Difficult to do; difficult to understand
  • (Of facts) not able to be misunderstood; clear
  • (Of alcohol) strong
  • Involving or requiring lots of work, effort, care
  • Being full of pain, trouble, and problems
  • Strong
  • (Of edge) clear; sharp
  • Difficult to bend, break or cut; solid
  • adverb
  • With lots of force, power, or impact

cbs

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌsiː biː ˈes /

UK / ˌsiː biː ˈes /

A1
  • abbreviation
  • Columbia Broadcasting System.

family

Copy vocabulary

US / 'fæməlɪ /

UK / ˈfæmli /

A1
  • noun
  • Close group of people or organizations
  • A group of people who are related through blood
  • Group of related plants or animals

include

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪnˈklu:d /

UK / ɪnˈklud /

A1
  • verb
  • To make someone, something part of a group

then

Copy vocabulary

US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • A time that is not now
  • Following another thing in time or arrangement
  • Following on reasonably from what was just stated
  • At that time, not now

bill

Copy vocabulary

US / bɪl /

UK / bɪl /

A2
  • noun
  • Plan for a new law being discussed by a government
  • Sign or poster advertising something
  • Paper money; a bank note
  • Piece of paper showing what you have to pay
  • Hard, often pointed part of a bird's mouth
  • Person's name
  • verb
  • To request payment by handing over an invoice

tell

Copy vocabulary

US / tel /

UK / tɛl /

A1
  • verb
  • To (strongly) advise a person to do something
  • To be able to guess
  • To say or communicate information to someone
  • To inform, but without speaking; indicate
  • To have a negative effect on someone
  • To order someone to do something; command
  • To recognize something based on certain signs
  • To report something to an authority
  • To explain something or teach someone something

case

Copy vocabulary

US / keɪs /

UK / kes /

A1
  • noun
  • Container used to carry things, e.g. clothes
  • Set of facts about a crime
  • Set of facts about an event
  • Example or instance of something
  • verb
  • To find out about a place, as in planning to steal

equipment

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪˈkwɪpmənt /

UK / ɪˈkwɪpmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Tools or materials used to perform a task

jump

Copy vocabulary

US / dʒʌmp /

UK / dʒʌmp /

A1
  • noun
  • Large sudden increase
  • An act of springing into the air
  • Bar or other thing that is jumped over
  • A sudden movement due to surprise
  • verb
  • To attack someone suddenly
  • To push your body into the air with your legs
  • To suddenly decide to do something
  • To make a sudden movement due to surprise

she

Copy vocabulary

US / ʃɪ /

UK / ʃi /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Female person or animal mentioned before
  • (Refers to female person mentioned before)

city

Copy vocabulary

US / 'sɪtɪ /

UK / ˈsɪti /

A1
  • noun
  • Area with many buildings, roads and people

delivery

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪˈlɪvəri /

UK / dɪˈlɪvəri, -ˈlɪvri /

A2
  • noun
  • Way someone acts when speaking publicly
  • Act of taking something to a person or place

fight

Copy vocabulary

US / faɪt /

UK / faɪt /

A1
  • noun
  • An argument or quarrel
  • Act of trying to hurt someone by hitting them
  • A struggle to do a difficult task
  • verb
  • To argue or quarrel with someone about something
  • To try to hurt someone by hitting them
  • To struggle to do a difficult task

about

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'baʊt /

UK / əˈbaʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • To be ready to; going to
  • Nearly; approximately; roughly
  • Near; next to; close to
  • In every direction; in the area of
  • preposition
  • Concerning or of (a topic)

billing

Copy vocabulary

US / 'bɪlɪŋ /

UK / ˈbɪlɪŋ /

A2
  • verb
  • To request payment by handing over an invoice

care

Copy vocabulary

US / keə(r) /

UK / kɛr /

A1
  • noun
  • Treatment you receive for your health or safety
  • Something that a person worries about
  • verb
  • To feel interest, concern, or worry
  • To look after someone or something

even

Copy vocabulary

US / 'i:vn /

UK / ˈivən /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in influence, power, possibility etc.
  • Being divided equally or fairly
  • (Of teams/contest) with similar chances of success
  • Smooth, level, or regular
  • Can be divided by 2; ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0
  • At a regular, equally steady manner
  • Remaining steady and unchanging
  • adverb
  • (When this is surprising) as well; too
  • (Used to compare two things/stress the difference)
  • verb
  • To make something level; to flatten
  • To make something equal

like

Copy vocabulary

US / laɪk /

UK / laɪk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in status or kind to something else
  • Similar; the same
  • adverb
  • For example
  • preposition
  • Used as a filler; used to ad emphasis
  • In a way similar to the way something is done
  • Such as; for example
  • verb
  • To want to
  • To find something pleasing; to prefer something

people

Copy vocabulary

US / 'pi:pl /

UK / ˈpipəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Persons sharing culture, country, background, etc.
  • Men, Women, Children

what

Copy vocabulary

US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Thing or things that; the same kind as
  • Used to emphasize something you are about to say
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to a particular amount, or number
  • Used to place emphasis on a particular quality
  • adverb
  • To a certain degree
  • determiner
  • Question words used for asking for information
  • exclamation
  • Used to express excitement, shock, or surprise
  • Used to ask people to repeat something they said

that

Copy vocabulary

US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • The person or thing being talked about
  • Used to identify something both the speakers know
  • adverb
  • Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
  • To such a degree
  • conjunction
  • Used to connect a noun clause
  • Used to introduce an adverbial clause
  • Used to introduce a noun clause
  • determiner
  • Used as a noun to refer to something
  • pronoun
  • Referring an object far away
  • Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

any

Copy vocabulary

US / 'enɪ /

UK / ˈɛni /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One, or some, no matter which
  • pronoun
  • One (thing) of many; some

come

Copy vocabulary

US / kʌm /

UK / kʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To arrive at a place
  • (Of mail) to be delivered
  • To move toward someone; go with someone
  • To reach a certain point or state

help

Copy vocabulary

US / help /

UK / hɛlp /

A1
  • noun
  • Something given to enable a person to do something
  • Assistance given to someone in need
  • Someone who makes something easier or possible
  • verb
  • To act to enable a person to do something; assist
  • To make something better or less difficult

adeline

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ædəleɪd /

UK / 'ædəleɪd /

A1

battle

Copy vocabulary

US / 'bætl /

UK / ˈbætl /

A2
  • noun
  • Military fight between armies
  • Working hard to stop something; struggle
  • verb
  • To fight or struggle against someone or something
  • To work hard to stop something; struggle

garner

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɡɑ:nə(r) /

UK / ˈɡɑrnɚ /

C1
  • verb
  • To gather together important facts, awards, etc.
  • To receive a prize or praise

real

Copy vocabulary

US / rɪəl /

UK / ˈriəl, ril /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Actually existing or happening, not imagined
  • Being important or special

and

Copy vocabulary

US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

estate

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪˈsteɪt /

UK / ɪˈstet /

A2
  • noun
  • A large piece of land, usually with a large house
  • Group of houses all built at the same time

hope

Copy vocabulary

US / həʊp /

UK / hop /

A1
  • noun
  • When you wish something will happen; what you wish
  • verb
  • To expect and want something to happen

huh

Copy vocabulary

US / hʌ /

UK / hʌ /

A1
  • exclamation
  • Sound people make when they are confused

ledger

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ledʒə(r) /

UK / ˈlɛdʒɚ /

B2
  • noun
  • Book containing accounting records

call

Copy vocabulary

US / kɔ:l /

UK / kɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • A order or request for action
  • The sound an animal makes, often when in danger
  • A correct prediction, e.g. a decision in a game
  • A short visit to a place or person
  • A decision by a referee or umpire in a game
  • verb
  • To make a request or order for action
  • (Animal) to make sounds to warn of danger
  • To announce the date of an election
  • To make a judgment about something
  • To give someone or something a name
  • To guess in advance the result or outcome
  • To visit a place or person for a short time
  • To phone someone
  • To speak, announce or shout in a loud voice

where

Copy vocabulary

US / hwɛə /

UK / hwɛr, wɛr /

A1
  • conjunction
  • At or in the place which
  • In whatever place
  • pronoun
  • Word you use to ask the location of something

ward

Copy vocabulary

US / wɔ:d /

UK / wɔ:rd /

B1
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • Child legally protected and cared for by a court
  • Section or part of a town or city
  • Separate part or area of a hospital

mess

Copy vocabulary

US / mes /

UK / mɛs /

A2
  • noun
  • Something that is untidy, dirty or unclean
  • verb
  • To make something untidy or dirty

office

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈɒfɪs /

UK / ˈɔ:fɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • Room or building used for business
  • Important job position, often in a government

august

Copy vocabulary

US / ɔːˈɡʌst /

UK / ɔːˈɡʌst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (of person) Well known and respected
  • noun
  • 8th month of the year

finance

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈfaɪnæns /

UK / fəˈnæns, faɪ-, ˈfaɪˌnæns /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerned with money
  • noun
  • Control of money a person, business has access to
  • verb
  • To support someone or something financially

put

Copy vocabulary

US / pʊt /

UK / pʊt /

A1
  • phrasal verb
  • to make a light stop shining by pressing or moving a switch
  • verb
  • To move or place a thing in a particular position
  • To rate something in importance or value
  • To write or say something in a certain manner

two

Copy vocabulary

US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • number
  • 2

anything

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈeniθɪŋ /

UK / ˈɛniˌθɪŋ /

A1
  • pronoun
  • A thing of any kind

from

Copy vocabulary

US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

A1
  • preposition
  • Starting at a particular place, time or level

out

Copy vocabulary

US / aʊt /

UK / aʊt /

A1
  • adverb
  • No longer stylish (e.g. fashion)
  • Away from home, business, or the usual place
  • In a direction/movement away from inside or center
  • noun
  • Act when a batter cannot continue playing
  • verb
  • To tell people a secret

over

Copy vocabulary

US / 'əʊvə(r) /

UK / ˈovɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Finished; no longer happening
  • Towards the ground/away from a standing position
  • noun
  • A set of six consecutive balls bowled in cricket
  • other
  • Finished
  • preposition
  • Showing the relation when a thing is above another
  • On or covering something
  • Above or across something
  • More than you need
  • From one side to the other
  • In the direction of; toward

charge

Copy vocabulary

US / tʃɑ:dʒ /

UK / tʃɑrdʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • An attack by running quickly toward someone
  • A price for a service or goods
  • When a battery has a certain amount of electricity
  • Amount of money you pay for a service
  • verb
  • To run quickly toward someone to attack them
  • To ask for money as a price for a service or goods
  • To put electricity in a battery
  • To give responsibility to take care of or manage
  • To state that someone has committed a crime

lauren

Copy vocabulary

US / 'lɔ:ndrəmæt /

UK / 'lɔ:ndrəmæt /

A1

water

Copy vocabulary

US / 'wɔ:tə(r) /

UK / ˈwɔtɚ, ˈwɑtɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Clear liquid that forms the seas, rivers and rain
  • Large area such as an ocean or sea
  • verb
  • (Of the eyes) to produce tears
  • (Mouth) to become wet at the thought of nice food
  • To pour liquids onto a plant to keep it alive

dedicated

Copy vocabulary

US / 'dedɪkeɪtɪd /

UK / ˈdɛdɪˌketɪd /

B1
  • verb
  • To state a person's name in book, song, in respect
  • To give your energy, time, etc. completely

since

Copy vocabulary

US / sɪns /

UK / sɪns /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a point before the present time
  • conjunction
  • For this reason; because
  • preposition
  • From the time in the past that

test

Copy vocabulary

US / test /

UK / test /

A1
  • noun
  • A medical examination
  • Action to establish the truth or nature of
  • Examination; questions to measure knowledge
  • verb
  • To be given a medical examination
  • To try to establish the truth or nature of
  • To ask a series of questions to measure knowledge

emergency

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪ'mɜ:dʒənsɪ /

UK / ɪˈmɚdʒənsi /

A2
  • noun
  • Sudden event needing an immediate action

statement

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈsteɪtmənt /

UK / ˈstetmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Record of activity in a bank account over time
  • Act or process of saying something formally

system

Copy vocabulary

US / 'sɪstəm /

UK / ˈsɪstəm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Working in an organized, logical way
  • noun
  • Set of organized, planned ideas that work together

under

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈʌndə(r) /

UK / ˈʌndɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In the same place as another thing, but lower
  • adverb
  • In a lower quantity or price than expected
  • preposition
  • According to the terms of an agreement or law
  • Managed or controlled by the authority of
  • Being of a lesser quality or amount than expected
  • Influenced or affected by something or someone
  • Less or lower in age, amount, size or number

usage

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈju:sɪdʒ /

UK / ˈjusɪdʒ, -zɪdʒ /

B2
  • noun
  • Amount something is used
  • Way something is actually used

driver

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈdraɪvə(r) /

UK / ˈdraɪvɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • People who move cattle from one place to another
  • Someone who operates a vehicle
  • A club with a wooden head used when playing golf

constituent

Copy vocabulary

US / kənˈstɪtjuənt /

UK / kənˈstɪtʃuənt /

C2
  • noun
  • Necessary part or element of something else

correct

Copy vocabulary

US / kə'rekt /

UK / kəˈrɛkt /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being suitable and appropriate for an occasion
  • True or accurate
  • verb
  • To fix a problem
  • To write marks on a piece of work to show mistakes
  • To punish in order to improve

news

Copy vocabulary

US / nju:z /

UK / nu:z /

A1
  • noun
  • Broadcast on radio or TV about recent events
  • Information about recent events

question

Copy vocabulary

US / 'kwestʃən /

UK / ˈkwɛstʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Issue or problems you are dealing with
  • What you ask about; issue
  • verb
  • To ask for or try to get information
  • To have or express concerns or uncertainty

card

Copy vocabulary

US / kɑ:d /

UK / kɑ:rd /

A1
  • noun
  • One of 54 pieces of paper used in a game of cards
  • Small piece of paper or plastic used as ID
  • verb
  • (Golf) to record how many hits you took

disconnect

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌdɪskəˈnekt /

UK / ˌdɪskəˈnɛkt /

B2
  • noun
  • State of being separated from something else
  • verb
  • To separate something from something else

just

Copy vocabulary

US / dʒʌst /

UK / dʒʌst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper or appropriate; as is deserved
  • Doing or being what is right or fair
  • Legally correct; having enough evidence
  • adverb
  • Almost; nearly
  • Exactly at the time of
  • Exactly (the same as, like)

load

Copy vocabulary

US / ləʊd /

UK / lod /

A2
  • noun
  • Large, often heavy, amount of a thing to be moved
  • A burden; heavy responsibility
  • Many or much of something; a lot of
  • Items that fill a truck, machine
  • verb
  • To put in items for use (e.g. bullets in a gun)

technology

Copy vocabulary

US / tek'nɒlədʒɪ /

UK / tɛkˈnɑlədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Use or knowledge of science in industry etc.

tens

Copy vocabulary

US / tɛnz /

UK / tɛnz /

A1
  • number
  • 10s

face

Copy vocabulary

US / feɪs /

UK / fes /

A1
  • noun
  • Side or outer surface of something
  • An expression using mouth, nose, eyes etc.
  • Front part of the head where eyes, mouth etc. are
  • Characteristics you show in public
  • verb
  • To cover a surface with something like paint
  • To deal with a problem or responsibilities
  • To look toward; point in a certain direction

hour

Copy vocabulary

US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • noun
  • 60 minutes
  • Particular time of the day
  • Fixed, regularly occurring time

promise

Copy vocabulary

US / 'prɒmɪs /

UK / ˈprɑmɪs /

A1
  • verb
  • To say you will certainly do something

compile

Copy vocabulary

US / kəm'paɪl /

UK / kəmˈpaɪl /

B1
  • verb
  • To put programming data into a computer
  • To gather (articles) for a book

astronomical

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌæstrəˈnɒmɪkl /

UK / ˌæstrəˈnɑmɪkəl /

B2
  • adjecitve
  • Extremely large or high
  • Of the study of stars and other bodies in space

for

Copy vocabulary

US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

A1
  • preposition
  • Used to show the purpose, or need of something

time

Copy vocabulary

US / taɪm /

UK / taɪm /

A1
  • noun
  • Speed at which music is played; tempo
  • Point as shown on a clock, e.g. 3 p.m
  • Number of hours, minutes needed to do something
  • Occasion when something happens
  • Period or occasion that something occurred
  • Period in history or the past
  • Something measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.
  • How long an event takes; duration
  • verb
  • To check speed at which music is performed
  • To choose a specific moment to do something
  • To measure how long an event takes, e.g. a race
  • To schedule something to occur at a specific moment

why

Copy vocabulary

US / waɪ /

UK / hwaɪ, waɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Question word to ask for a reason
  • exclamation
  • (Used to express surprise or approval)

worth

Copy vocabulary

US / wɜ:θ /

UK / wɚθ /

A2
  • other
  • the financial, practical or moral value of somebody/something
  • having a particular value, especially in money

victory

Copy vocabulary

US / 'vɪktərɪ /

UK / ˈvɪktəri /

B1
  • noun
  • Defeating or beating someone or something

conversation

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃn /

UK / ˌkɑnvɚˈseʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Talking with other people; discussion or chat

hear

Copy vocabulary

US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

A1
  • verb
  • To be aware of sound; to perceive with the ear
  • To be told or find out information or facts
  • To consider or listen to a court case

increase

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪn'kri:s /

UK / ɪnˈkris /

A1
  • noun
  • Fact of increasing; amount something grows by
  • verb
  • To make or become larger in size or amount

organize

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈɔ:gənaɪz /

UK / ˈɔ:rgənaɪz /

A1
  • verb
  • To arrange and plan things, e.g. a party

before

Copy vocabulary

US / bɪˈfɔ:(r) /

UK / bɪˈfɔr,-ˈfor /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a time earlier than the present; previously
  • conjunction
  • In advance of something happening
  • preposition
  • In front of someone or something

have

Copy vocabulary

US / həv /

UK / hæv /

A1
  • verb
  • To drink, smoke, eat or use something
  • To experience the effects of something
  • To organize an event, or join in an activity
  • To own, possess, or hold something
  • To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

part

Copy vocabulary

US / pɑ:t /

UK / pɑ:rt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To some degree; half; not fully
  • noun
  • Division of a book
  • Ratio of something, e.g. 3 of gin, 1 of tonic
  • A line in a person's hair, made with a comb
  • Character an actor plays on stage, movie, or TV
  • Some, but not all of a specific thing
  • Role in causing something to happen
  • verb
  • To make a line in a person's hair, by using a comb
  • To move two things apart creating a space
  • To leave someone, or to break off a relationship

plan

Copy vocabulary

US / plæn /

UK / plæn /

A1
  • noun
  • Drawing of how something should be done or made

without

Copy vocabulary

US / wɪˈðaʊt /

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

A1
  • preposition
  • Not with; not having

paralegal

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌpærəˈliːɡl /

UK / ˌpærəˈliːɡl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Person with specialized training to assist lawyers

retire

Copy vocabulary

US / rɪ'taɪə(r) /

UK / rɪˈtaɪr /

A2
  • verb
  • To stop using, producing, or servicing something
  • To stop taking part in a competition or game
  • To quit having jobs because you are old
  • To move to a different area or room (formal)
  • To go to bed (formal)

with

Copy vocabulary

US / wɪð /

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

A1
  • preposition
  • As an employee of a certain company
  • Against something or someone
  • By using something as a means
  • Due to; because of
  • Including
  • Possessing as a feature
  • Related to
  • (Of the manner/attitude by which you do something)
  • Used to express that people or things are together

loud

Copy vocabulary

US / laʊd /

UK / laʊd /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being very bright with colors, clothes etc.
  • Making a lot of noise

negative

Copy vocabulary

US / 'neɡətɪv /

UK / ˈnɛɡətɪv /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being harmful, unwanted or unhelpful
  • In mathematics, being less than zero
  • Focusing on the bad aspects; pessimistic
  • noun
  • The opposite to a positive electrical charge
  • In grammar, containing words such as 'no' or 'not'
  • Reply to a question or statement that means 'no'
  • Image on camera film used to make a photo

away

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'weɪ /

UK / əˈwe /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not present
  • adverb
  • Disappear completely
  • Doing something with a lot of energy
  • Not here; far from here; in a different direction
  • To a different area, location

estimate

Copy vocabulary

US / 'estɪmət /

UK / ˈɛstəˌmet /

A2
  • noun
  • Guess or calculation of cost, size or value
  • verb
  • To guess or calculate the cost, size or value of

meter

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈmi:tə(r) /

UK / ˈmitɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of length equal to 100 cm or about 39 inches
  • Device for measuring things e.g. gas
  • Device to put money into to rent a parking place
  • Rhythm of a poem
  • verb
  • To measure water, etc. when it has to be paid for

andrea

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈændriə /

UK / ˈændriə /

A1

complete

Copy vocabulary

US / kəm'pli:t /

UK / kəmˈplit /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being finished; done; achieved
  • Being as perfect and as total as could be
  • verb
  • To finish or reach the end of doing something

know

Copy vocabulary

US / nəʊ /

UK / noʊ /

A1
  • verb
  • To be familiar with a person or place, thing
  • To feel sure or be convinced about something
  • To discover or be aware of something
  • To be able to distinguish
  • To have knowledge of things

lewis

Copy vocabulary

US / 'lʊɪs /

UK / 'lʊɪs /

A1
  • noun
  • A steel device for gripping heavy blocks of stone or concrete for lifting, consisting of three piece

station

Copy vocabulary

US / 'steɪʃn /

UK / ˈsteʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Building, area, place used for a specific reason
  • A person's place in society
  • Place where you can catch a train or a bus
  • Company that broadcasts radio or TV programs
  • verb
  • (Army) to be posted to a place to perform duties
  • To put a person in a certain place or position

chicago

Copy vocabulary

US / ʃɪ'kɑ:gəʊ, -'kɔ:- /

UK / ʃɪ'kɑ:ɡoʊˌ -'kɔ:- /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A city in northeastern Illinois, on Lake Michigan; population 2,853,114 (est. 2008). Chicago develop

discovery

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪ'skʌvərɪ /

UK / dɪˈskʌvəri /

A2
  • noun
  • Learning something for the first time

end

Copy vocabulary

US / end /

UK / ɛnd /

A1
  • noun
  • The point where a process or activity stops
  • A point that marks the limit of something; finish
  • Goal or desired result
  • The tip, edge or limit of something
  • verb
  • To be the last part of something

raise

Copy vocabulary

US / reɪz /

UK / rez /

A1
  • noun
  • Increase in a bet above another when playing cards
  • Pay increase
  • verb
  • To increase a bet above another when playing cards
  • To gather donations for a cause or charity
  • To bring up and educate a child to maturity
  • To bring a dead person to life
  • To increase a quantity, size, intensity or price
  • To lift (e.g. your hand) to a higher position
  • To mention a topic /issue for discussion; bring up
  • To increase (salary, etc.)
  • To grow or care for plants or animals

big

Copy vocabulary

US / bɪɡ /

UK / bɪɡ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Popular
  • Serious
  • Large

client

Copy vocabulary

US / 'klaɪənt /

UK / ˈklaɪənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Person paying for professional services

investment

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪnˈvestmənt /

UK / ɪnˈvɛstmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Something purchased hoping its value will increase
  • Act of giving time, energy to see a future reward

receive

Copy vocabulary

US / rɪ'si:v /

UK / rɪˈsiv /

A1
  • verb
  • To get something someone has given or sent to you
  • To allow someone to become a member (of a club)
  • To welcome someone as a guest into your home
  • To respond to (e.g. news) in a particular way

the

Copy vocabulary

US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

A1
  • article
  • Used to refer to something already mentioned
  • Used to show there is only one of something
  • determiner
  • Used to describe all of a family

headlight

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈhedlaɪt /

UK / ˈhɛdˌlaɪt /

B1
  • noun
  • Powerful light at the front of a car

happy

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈhæpi /

UK / ˈhæpi /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Feeling pleasure or joy; glad

may

Copy vocabulary

US / meɪ /

UK / me /

A1
  • noun
  • 5th month of the year
  • other
  • Used to express a desire
  • Expresses permission, possibility or probability
  • Used to show that a thing could be true

school

Copy vocabulary

US / sku:l /

UK / skul /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being to do with schools and education
  • noun
  • Large group of fish that swim together
  • Education of a child
  • Building where you learn in classes with a teacher
  • A particular belief or idea about something
  • verb
  • To teach or train someone to know or do something

this

Copy vocabulary

US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

word

Copy vocabulary

US / wɜ:d /

UK / wɚd /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of language that has a meaning
  • Promise
  • Short remark or piece of information
  • verb
  • To express something by choosing particular words

wash

Copy vocabulary

US / wɒʃ /

UK / wɑ:ʃ /

A1
  • noun
  • Clothes or other items that need cleaning
  • Movement of water with or against something else
  • verb
  • To clean someone or something with soap and water
  • To move somewhere by flowing

testimony

Copy vocabulary

US / 'testɪmənɪ /

UK / ˈtɛstəˌmoni /

C1
  • noun
  • Public statement of personal religious experiences
  • Statement of evidence in court

also

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɔ:lsəʊ /

UK / ˈɔlso /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition; too; in a similar way

how

Copy vocabulary

US / haʊ /

UK / haʊ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • To what degree? in what amount?
  • adverb
  • (Used to explain the way to do something)
  • exclamation
  • For what purpose or reason?
  • (Used to ask someone or something's condition)

unpaid

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌʌnˈpeɪd /

UK / ʌnˈped /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Yet to be paid

year

Copy vocabulary

US / jə: /

UK / jɪr /

A1
  • noun
  • Unit of time equal to 12 months or 365 or 366 days
  • Used to refer to the age of a person

you

Copy vocabulary

US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general

parent

Copy vocabulary

US / 'peərənt /

UK / ˈpɛrənt, ˈpær- /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's, animal's mother or father
  • Something creating other things of the same kind

multiple

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈmʌltɪpl /

UK / ˈmʌltəpəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Having or involving more than one of something
  • noun
  • Number produced by multiplying a smaller number
  • Shop with many branches

three

Copy vocabulary

US / θri: /

UK / θri /

A1
  • number
  • Number 3

other

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ʌðə(r) /

UK / ˈʌðər /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A thing different from that mentioned
  • determiner
  • (Something) else; not the first (one)
  • pronoun
  • Being the one and only thing of that category

one

Copy vocabulary

US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • You; we; people in general; someone
  • The thing or person previously referred to
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to people generally
  • Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
  • number
  • Number 1

settle

Copy vocabulary

US / 'setl /

UK / ˈsɛtl /

A2
  • noun
  • Type of wooden seat
  • verb
  • To make (a child, etc.) feel calm/ready for sleep
  • To complete or finalize e.g. a contract or debt
  • To end some troubles by reaching an agreement
  • To become accustomed to a new environment
  • (Of liquids) to move to the bottom of a container

order

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɔ:də(r) /

UK / ˈɔrdɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Religious or social group, as of nuns
  • Instructions to others to do what you want
  • State in which things are neat and organized
  • What you ask to buy, e.g. food in restaurant
  • Social or political control of an area
  • verb
  • To put things in a sequence, e.g. a, b, c
  • To give instructions to others to do what you want
  • To ask for something you want to buy, e.g. a meal

make

Copy vocabulary

US / meɪk /

UK / mek /

A1
  • noun
  • Product made by a particular company; brand
  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • To get to (a place) on time
  • To gain the status of (teacher, lawyer, etc.)
  • To create something by putting things together
  • To earn a certain amount of money at a job
  • To cause or force a person to do something
  • To cause something to happen or be formed

run

Copy vocabulary

US / rʌn /

UK / rʌn /

A1
  • noun
  • Journey between two places made by ship or car
  • Series of similar things or successes and failures
  • Act of running; exercise of running
  • verb
  • To depart or travel according to a schedule
  • To cause an animal to move in a certain direction
  • (Of an engine) to be operating
  • To start or use a computer program
  • To flow in a certain direction, like a liquid
  • To manage or operate a business
  • To operate or drive something
  • (Of a road) to go from one place to another
  • To move your legs faster than walking

answer

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɑ:nsə(r) /

UK / ˈænsɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Reply to a question someone asks
  • Solution to a problem or test question
  • verb
  • To reply to a question someone asks
  • To solve a test question or a problem

all

Copy vocabulary

US / ɔ:l /

UK / ɔl /

A1
  • adverb
  • Completely; totally
  • determiner
  • Being every one of something
  • pronoun
  • 100% of something; the complete amount

who

Copy vocabulary

US / hu: /

UK / hu /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Which person
  • Used to introduce information about people

remove

Copy vocabulary

US / rɪˈmu:v /

UK / rɪˈmuv /

A1
  • verb
  • To get rid of something completely
  • To make someone leave his or her job or position
  • To move, erase or take away from a place
  • To take something off (e.g. clothing)

building

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈbɪldɪŋ /

UK / ˈbɪldɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • A structure with a roof and walls, e.g. a house
  • verb
  • To establish e.g. a reputation, over time
  • To construct a house, office, factory

committee

Copy vocabulary

US / kəˈmɪti /

UK / kəˈmɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Group of people who do or decide something

old

Copy vocabulary

US / əʊld /

UK / old /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having existed for a long time, not young or new
  • Age of a person since birth

sale

Copy vocabulary

US / seɪl /

UK / sel /

A2
  • noun
  • Event during which the prices of goods are reduced
  • Giving something for money; the amount sold

utility

Copy vocabulary

US / ju:ˈtɪləti /

UK / juˈtɪləti /

B1
  • noun
  • Public services such as gas, water, or electricity
  • Regarding public service such as gas, water etc.
  • Fact of being useful; usefulness
  • The usefulness of something

work

Copy vocabulary

US / wɜ:k /

UK / wɚk /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Activity completed in order to make money
  • noun
  • The product of some artistic or literary endeavor
  • Everything created by an author, artist, musician
  • Activity you do in order to make money
  • Place of employment
  • Final product or result of a some labor or effort
  • verb
  • To bring into a specific state of success
  • To be functioning properly, e.g. a car
  • To do your job in your company or workplace
  • To make an effort to do something
  • To operate a machine or device

worry

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈwʌri /

UK / ˈwɜ:ri /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that causes trouble or concern
  • verb
  • To cause concern or trouble over something

install

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪnˈstɔ:l /

UK / ɪnˈstɔl /

A2
  • verb
  • To set up equipment so that it is ready to use
  • To place someone officially in a job position

huge

Copy vocabulary

US / hju:dʒ /

UK / hjudʒ /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Very very large

management

Copy vocabulary

US / 'mænɪdʒmənt /

UK / ˈmænɪdʒmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • People who are in control of a business or group
  • The process of running an organization

their

Copy vocabulary

US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

yes

Copy vocabulary

US / jes /

UK / jɛs /

A1
  • adverb
  • Way to say you agree or will do something

account

Copy vocabulary

US / ə'kaʊnt /

UK / əˈkaʊnt /

A1
  • noun
  • An advantage
  • Arrangement with a bank to keep your money for you
  • An invoice for things bought
  • Arrangement whereby you can use online services
  • A description, often written, of events; report

daughter

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈdɔ:tə(r) /

UK / ˈdɔtɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • (Of a company) being a subsidiary of another firm
  • noun
  • A female child of someone

department

Copy vocabulary

US / dɪˈpɑ:tmənt /

UK / dɪˈpɑ:rtmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Division of a larger part or organization

introduce

Copy vocabulary

US / ˌɪntrəˈdju:s /

UK / ˌɪntrəˈdus, -ˈdjus /

A1
  • verb
  • To open an essay to set the scene
  • To guide or explain something, e.g. a town
  • To begin the use of a new thing or practice
  • To make someone known to another by name
  • To insert or put something inside another thing

customer

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈkʌstəmə(r) /

UK / ˈkʌstəmɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Someone who buys goods or services from a business

joy

Copy vocabulary

US / dʒɔɪ /

UK / dʒɔɪ /

A2
  • noun
  • Deep happiness and pleasure about something
  • Thing or person that causes pleasure or happiness
  • verb
  • To experience happiness or to be glad

pay

Copy vocabulary

US / peɪ /

UK / pe /

A1
  • noun
  • Money you receive from your job, work, etc.
  • verb
  • To give money for goods or work done
  • To give (attention, respect, etc.) to
  • To be punished or suffer for something you did
  • To make (a visit) to a person or place

show

Copy vocabulary

US / ʃəʊ /

UK / ʃo /

A1
  • noun
  • False display of love, emotion or action
  • An event for displaying or promoting goods
  • Play, opera or theater production
  • Presentation that is broadcast on TV or radio
  • verb
  • To be easily seen or displayed
  • To display your emotions or feelings
  • To let someone see something; display
  • To explain or teach how something is done
  • To lead someone somewhere; point them to something
  • To prove something to be true, correct
  • To reveal or allow something to be seen

close

Copy vocabulary

US / kləʊz /

UK / kloʊz /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Almost; near
  • (Of a friend) well-known; liked by others
  • Being near or related
  • Similar; nearly the same
  • verb
  • To come progressively nearer to something
  • To end; to bring to an end
  • To make something shut; stop from being open

between

Copy vocabulary

US / bɪˈtwi:n /

UK / bɪˈtwin /

A1
  • preposition
  • From one person, thing, or place, to another
  • In the space that separates two objects
  • Among two or more people who share something

dollar

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈdɒlə(r) /

UK / ˈdɑ:lə(r) /

A1
  • noun
  • A basic unit of money equal to 100 cent

everything

Copy vocabulary

US / 'evrɪθɪŋ /

UK / ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ /

A1
  • pronoun
  • All of the things mentioned

they

Copy vocabulary

US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Two or more people, animals, or things

freeze

Copy vocabulary

US / fri:z /

UK / friz /

A2
  • noun
  • Sudden stop to prevent increase or decreases
  • Period of very cold weather under zero degrees
  • verb
  • To harden to a solid below zero degrees
  • To store an item of food in a cold place
  • To make someone to not want to communicate
  • To stop moving and be still; stay the same

surprise

Copy vocabulary

US / səˈpraɪz /

UK / sərˈpraɪz /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • That surprises you; not expected
  • noun
  • Something unexpected that slightly shocks you
  • verb
  • To do something that another person didn't expect

fix

Copy vocabulary

US / fɪks /

UK / fɪks /

A2
  • noun
  • Answer to a problem
  • verb
  • To arrange or prepare something
  • To attach something so it will not move or change
  • To dishonestly arrange the result of a game
  • To make an animal unable to produce young
  • To make something whole or able to work again

hose

Copy vocabulary

US / həʊz /

UK / hoʊz /

B1
  • noun
  • Tube that carries a liquid
  • Socks, stockings, pantyhose etc.
  • verb
  • To wet or clean something with a hose

inquire

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪn'kwaɪə(r) /

UK / ɪnˈkwaɪr /

B1
  • verb
  • To ask a question to get information

not

Copy vocabulary

US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Word indicating the negative
  • (Used to form the negative of verbs)

our

Copy vocabulary

US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

now

Copy vocabulary

US / naʊ /

UK / naʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At the present time or moment
  • Right away or in the next possible moment
  • Used to refer to something that just happened
  • Time between the present and a moment in the past
  • conjunction
  • Resulting from or because of something

november

Copy vocabulary

US / nəʊˈvembə(r) /

UK / noˈvɛmbɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • 11th month of the year

table

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈteɪbl /

UK / ˈtebəl /

A1
  • noun
  • Diagram that shows data in rows and columns
  • Raised flat surface you sit at to work or eat
  • verb
  • To leave an idea to be discussed at a later date

crazy

Copy vocabulary

US / 'kreɪzɪ /

UK / ˈkrezi /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Mentally ill; mad
  • Not being sensible or practical
  • Really like someone or something very much
  • noun
  • Person acting in a manner that is strange and odd

expect

Copy vocabulary

US / ɪk'spekt /

UK / ɪkˈspɛkt /

A1
  • verb
  • To believe something is probably going to happen

yet

Copy vocabulary

US / jet /

UK / jɛt /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a later time (used after ‘not’)
  • (Used to emphasize that thing is, will be greater)
  • Eventually; at a future time
  • Until now; up to the present
  • conjunction
  • Adding to what has been said, often as a contrast

really

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈri:əli /

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to stress something that is said; definitely
  • In a true or accurate manner
  • Very

would

Copy vocabulary

US / wʊd /

UK / wʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate something imagined
  • Used to ask or request something politely
  • Verb used to indicate possibility, request etc.
  • Used to indicate a preference
  • Used to indicate a reaction
  • Indicates something that occurred repeatedly
  • Used to indicate willingness or ability to do

can

Copy vocabulary

US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

A1
  • noun
  • A metal container for storing food
  • other
  • Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
  • verb
  • To have permission to
  • To be possible to do
  • To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

record

Copy vocabulary

US / 'rekɔ:d /

UK / ˈrekərd /

A1
  • noun
  • Highest or most extreme level achieved
  • Round plastic disc on which music has been stored
  • History of a person's past actions or achievements
  • verb
  • To indicate a temperature, speed, etc.; register
  • To write down or say what happened
  • To put music, sounds onto a device to store it

but

Copy vocabulary

US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used before you say something different, opposite

jeopardy

Copy vocabulary

US / 'dʒepədɪ /

UK / ˈdʒɛpədi /

B2
  • noun
  • When something may be harmed, damaged or lost

same

Copy vocabulary

US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in quality and amount
  • Identical; not different
  • Not changing; constant

feel

Copy vocabulary

US / fi:l /

UK / fil /

A1
  • verb
  • To be aware of or experience an emotion, sensation
  • To sense through direct contact; touch

shock

Copy vocabulary

US / ʃɒk /

UK / ʃɑ:k /

A2
  • noun
  • The passage of an electricity through the body
  • Sudden bad feeling caused by something unexpected
  • verb
  • To affect someone with an electrical current
  • To cause great surprise, horror, or anger

here

Copy vocabulary

US / hɪə(r) /

UK / hɪr /

A1
  • adverb
  • In this place; at this location, position or time

meaning

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈmi:nɪŋ /

UK / ˈminɪŋ /

A1
  • noun
  • Idea or thing represented by words or sentences
  • verb
  • To express a particular idea or thought
  • To intend to do something in particular
  • To have a particular intention or value

new

Copy vocabulary

US / nju: /

UK / nu, nju /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not old, recently born, built or made
  • Being or doing something for the first time
  • Not felt, seen or known previously
  • Having been recently bought or obtained

bus

Copy vocabulary

US / bʌs /

UK / bʌs /

A1
  • noun
  • A large road vehicle used for carrying many people
  • verb
  • To move people by coach or bus

day

Copy vocabulary

US / deɪ /

UK / de /

A1
  • noun
  • A period of 24 hours beginning at midnight
  • The period of time when it is light outside
  • Person's name

after

Copy vocabulary

US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

UK / ˈæftɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Later than another time, or behind something
  • conjunction
  • Following something before
  • preposition
  • When an event happened or time has passed

drama

Copy vocabulary

US / 'drɑ:mə /

UK / ˈdrɑmə, ˈdræmə /

A2
  • noun
  • Play that is performed on stage, theater, or TV
  • Study of acting

many

Copy vocabulary

US / 'menɪ /

UK / ˈmɛni /

A1
  • determiner
  • Used to refer a large number of things

slap

Copy vocabulary

US / slæp /

UK / slæp /

B1
  • verb
  • To hit with the open hand or with a flat object

thousand

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈθaʊznd /

UK / ˈθaʊzənd /

A1
  • number
  • Number 1,000

will

Copy vocabulary

US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Desire or choice of someone
  • Document saying who gets your money when you die
  • Strong desire to do something; determination
  • Desire to do something; strong wish to do
  • other
  • Used with verbs to express the future
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • Am (is, are) likely to do
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it

actually

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈæktʃuəli /

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to add new (often different) information

sell

Copy vocabulary

US / sel /

UK / sɛl /

A1
  • verb
  • To exchange something for money
  • To persuade people to do, like or agree

speak

Copy vocabulary

US / spi:k /

UK / spik /

A1
  • verb
  • To be able to use a certain language
  • To use words to tell information, express thoughts

use

Copy vocabulary

US / ju:s /

UK / ju:s /

A1
  • noun
  • Ability to employ something
  • Need to enable it to work
  • Permission to do something with something
  • Act of spending money
  • Operation of a machine for its function
  • verb
  • To have; to eat, drink, consume etc.
  • To need to operate or work
  • To operate a machine, e.g. a computer
  • To treat a person badly
  • To do something with, for a task or purpose

obviously

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈɒbviəsli /

UK / ˈɑːbviəsli /

A2
  • adverb
  • In a way that is obvious/easy to see or understand

while

Copy vocabulary

US / waɪl /

UK / hwaɪl, waɪl /

A1
  • conjunction
  • In spite of the fact that; although
  • During the time that; at the same time
  • noun
  • Short amount of time

balance

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈbæləns /

UK / ˈbæləns /

A2
  • noun
  • Instrument for weighing things
  • Being stable; having equal weight on both sides
  • Money remaining after paying costs
  • verb
  • To be steady by having equal weight on both sides
  • To make two or more things equal

massive

Copy vocabulary

US / ˈmæsɪv /

UK / ˈmæsɪv /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Very big; large; too big

should

Copy vocabulary

US / ʃʊd /

UK / ʃʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Used to indicate what is proper or reasonable
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • Chicago retirees are facing a shocking increase in their water bill, putting the sale of their property in jeopardy. A retired teacher and a retired school bus driver, who devoted years to the city, are now feeling betrayed by the hefty charges. Their daughter, Andrea Garner, is taking on the responsibility of resolving the issue at their investment property. The outstanding bill of $80,000 has left the family in disbelief and panic. Adeline Lewis, the paralegal assisting with the building sale, expressed the challenge of dealing with such a staggering amount. Multiple charges appearing on the ledger card, including $5,000, $21,000, and $26,000 on the same day, further added to the confusion. Lewis sought clarification from the city's utility billing customer service, recording a conversation in which she questioned the reason behind the $65,000 increase. The bill was based on an estimate reading from November 2021 to the present. The unexpected burden has left the retirees and their daughter scrambling for solutions.
  • Subtitles section
  • A retired teacher and a retired school bus driver dedicated years to the city, and now they feel slapped in the face with a huge Chicago water bill.
  • The surprise charges are so high, it's putting the sale of the couple's property in jeopardy.
  • CBS 2's Lauren Victory speaks with their daughter, who heard our station has fought the getting hosed battle many times before.
  • To $2,000, to $4,000, to $5,000.
  • For Andrea Garner, fixing the mess at her parents' investment property.
  • It's crazy, ma.
  • Is all part of caring for the people who raised her.
  • Just running around for anything that they need.
  • It's a big load.
  • It is.
  • It is, but it is a big joy.
  • Here's what's draining that joy.
  • Bills from Chicago's Department of Finance.
  • The family knew they had unpaid water charges to settle before selling their three-flat in Roseland.
  • But when they heard the balance.
  • It was like deer in headlights and a complete freeze of everything, like a complete shock.
  • What do we do?
  • This statement from June shows what they expected to pay at the closing table.
  • About $11,700.
  • Instead.
  • There was an outstanding bill that I still can't even really say the words out loud.
  • $80,000.
  • $80,000 worth of water.
  • How?
  • That had to have been one of the hardest calls that I had to make to a client.
  • Adeline Lewis is the paralegal helping with the Garner's building sale.
  • We can't close without a paid bill.
  • She received this ledger card from the city showing multiple charges on the same day for $5,000, $21,000, $26,000 and more.
  • Lewis hoped to wash away worries by calling the city's utility billing customer service.
  • She recorded the conversation.
  • Can you tell me why this bill has gone up $65,000?
  • She had an estimate reading of November 2021 till now.
  • So you're saying my client has to pay a surprise $65,000 increase because Chicago has been under estimating usage since November of 2021?
  • That is correct.
  • Is it?
  • Under meter reading, these two bills say estimate, but these three bills say actual, including one with negative water use.
  • Huh?
  • Then the ledger says metered all over it.
  • Metered, meaning what they were previously charged shouldn't have been tens of thousands of dollars off.
  • Has your office also heard other cases like this?
  • Yes.
  • Actually, we're compiling them.
  • 36th Ward Alderman Gilbert Villegas is organizing testimony for an August 31st committee meeting where he plans to question Chicago's water billing system.
  • Obviously, there's a disconnect between the technology and the water delivery, the billing, and the constituents' utilization of service.
  • Yes, the meter is working.
  • A discovery made while our cameras were rolling.
  • Chicago Department of Water Management crews showed up to the Garner's building about two hours after CBS2 inquired about that astronomical balance.
  • So you're saying you got an emergency work order to come here today?
  • They removed an old water meter, installed a new one, and promised to test the equipment.
  • Lauren Victory, CBS2 News.
  • We hope to have a happy ending to this getting hosed drama, but sadly, we don't have any ending yet.
  • The water and finance departments won't answer any of our outstanding questions, like why does a metered account get estimated, and why would the bill jump $60,000 overnight?
  • So for now, the Garners are like so many others we've introduced you to.
  • They're getting hosed.
  • It may not be closing on that real estate sale tomorrow because of this massive water bill.