<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Illinois IGNN: Keep Cool News</title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/news/</link><description>The Illinois Government News Network (IGNN) section is your online source for news from the State of Illinois. Choose from the IGNN Links on the right to locate press releases in the categories that are of interest to you, or use the search the news feature to locate specific press releases or a different topic of releases. For other media, access the Illinois Information Service (IIS) Radio page for digital radio feeds and news soundbites.</description><language>en-us</language><copyright>Copyright &#169; 2009 State of Illinois</copyright><pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><ttl>2</ttl><webMaster>cms.rss@illinois.gov</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:32:02 CST</lastBuildDate><image>  <title>IGNN</title>  <link>http://www.illinois.gov/news/</link>  <url>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/images/IGNN133x45.jpg</url>  <width>133</width>  <height>45</height>   </image><!-- Note: You can get the HTML version by replacing .xml to .htm --><item><title><![CDATA[Governor Quinn Signs Energy Assistance Bills - New laws help low-income families heat and cool their homes]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=58&#x26;RecNum=7734</link><description><![CDATA[CHICAGO – August 9, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn signed energy assistance bills to help reduce the burden of rising utility rates on low-income families. The legislation will expand the eligibility for low-income families to qualify for aid from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP).]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">BE37FF14DF68192D976F6CE76C6CBD15</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Governor Quinn Signs Bill to Aid Tens of Thousands of Low-Income Utility Customers - Bill creates payment plan option, caps costs, expands energy efficiency plan]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=58&#x26;RecNum=7675</link><description><![CDATA[CHICAGO – July 10, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a law that will benefit tens of thousands of low-income utility customers. Senate Bill 1918 creates a payment plan option for low-income customers, caps the amount those customers pay for utilities, and expands an energy efficiency program.]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">0660895C22F8A14EB039BFB9BEB0778F</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Governor Blagojevich Announces $265 Million in Energy Assistance Funding to Help More Low-income Families This Year - LIHEAP grant is $118 million more than last year and will help more Illinoisans as energy costs rise]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=58&#x26;RecNum=7241</link><description><![CDATA[CHICAGO- Amidst the background of rising energy costs and a weakening economy, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $265 million in federal funding for Illinois’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This year’s increase in federal funding ensures that the state will be able to help low-income families with the cost of keeping their homes warm this winter.]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">040D45CCC13C070FCEC9D46CCD0CC543</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Governor Blagojevich signs new law to protect consumers from having their electricity shut off during extreme heat - Legislation provides safety net for seniors who are at increased risk for heat-related illnesses]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=58&#x26;RecNum=7034</link><description><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD – As temperatures continue to rise this week, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation to provide a safeguard for Illinois consumers, particularly seniors, by prohibiting power companies from shutting off utilities when temperatures reach 95 degrees or higher.  House Bill 5086, sponsored by State Representative Robert F. Flider (D-Decatur) and State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), passed unanimously in both chambers and includes holidays and weekends.  State law currently prohibits utilities from shutting off service during cold winter months, but fails to protect consumers during heat waves, which can prove to be just as dangerous to older adults.]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">1F50D0737A738A9BA3206543D1102CBC</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Governor Blagojevich stresses need for preventive measures against West Nile virus and heat stroke, as high temperatures hit - Hot weather increases the risk of West Nile virus infection and illness]]></title><link>http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=58&#x26;RecNum=7035</link><description><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD – As temperatures hover in the 90s in Illinois this week and with heat indices near 100, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is urging people to protect themselves against the risk of West Nile virus infection and other illnesses, due to the heat.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CST</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">80177FE965B78111F4DFEE80CFDC3689</guid></item></channel></rss>