Press Release - Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Press Releases
No Data
QUINN ANNOUNCES ‘GOOD SAMARITAN INITIATIVE' Plan helps disconnected low-income utility customers get reconnected so they can have heat this winter
(CHICAGO) - Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn was joined by representatives from Illinois' utility companies and community organizations to announce the Good Samaritan Initiative - a plan to help disconnected low-income utility customers get reconnected so they can have heat this winter.
Thousands of low-income households across the state currently have heating bill arrearages with gas companies and are disconnected from service. An estimated 700,000 families across the state can't afford to heat their homes.
The Good Samaritan Initiative allows low-income customers get their heat reconnected by paying 20% of the balance owed on their bill or $250, whichever is less. The program is limited to low-income customers who are eligible for LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). Customers will still need to set up a payment plan to pay the remainder of their balance.
"The Good Samaritan Initiative helps thousands of low-income households receive heat during cold winter months," Quinn said. "Every year there are too many stories of fatal residential fires caused by make-shift heating methods, including defective space heaters, and we're trying to prevent the devastating consequences of disconnected utility services."
Some Illinois households pay more than 20 percent of their monthly incomes on heating bills, and it is estimated between 40,000 to 50,000 households statewide are without heat. The General Assembly found the inability to have heating service reconnected is "...a threat to the health and safety of many low-income households in Illinois."
"The parable of the 'Good Samaritan' teaches us the value of compassion and neighborliness, so the Good Samaritan Initiative is timely and needed," Quinn said. "Illinois natural gas companies know the importance of being good neighbors, and I salute their efforts during this holiday season."
The following utilities are participating in the reconnection agreement: Nicor Gas, Peoples Energy, North Shore Gas, and Ameren.
To be eligible for LIHEAP assistance, a utility customer must have an income that does not exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Line. For a family size of one, the annual income must not exceed $13,968, and for a family size of four, the annual income must not exceed $30,000.
Quinn was joined by Barry Maram, Director of Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services; Ed Hurley, Special Director for Emergency Assistance for Governor Blagojevich; Bob Vondrasek of the South Austin Coalition; Adrienne M. Jones, Director of Government & Community Relations for People's Energy; and representatives and clients of the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA).
For more information, please visit: www.KeepWarm.Illinois.gov.
Press Releases
No Data