IL Senate Approves Plans To Expand Access To Utility Bill Relief

DISTRICT 19, IL — A new bill that passed through the Illinois Senate Wednesday, making its way to the Illinois House of Representatives, is slated to provide access to utility bill assistance programs.

The legislation — Senate Bill 265 — led by State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort), would make families above 60 percent of the Illinois median income level ineligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Percentage of Income Payment Plan, according to Hasting's office. Additionally, the legislation establishes a priority application period for households with children under age six and extends LIHEAP and PIPP availability to all eligible low-income residents.

"The passage of this legislation should give hope to those who have seen skyrocketing utility bills as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," Hastings said. "By acting on this proposal, my colleagues made the choice to give those struggling a chance to get back on their feet."

The legislation also encourages the PIPP program to spend at least 80 percent of its available annual funding and double the 2020 program participation by 2024, according to Hasting's office.

"Providing those who have fallen on hard times with a lending hand is one of the most critical steps we can take to successfully move forward into a post-COVID-19 world," Hastings said. “That cannot happen if the people these programs are designed to help are unaware of the opportunity."

The senator's office says the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and Percentage of Income Payment Plan offer bill payment assistance to low-income residential utility customers by helping eligible households pay for their gas and electric utility service. Both programs are administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.

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