Three water companies have also decided not to shut off water service during winter months for those suffering financial hardship in the state of Illinois | File Photo
Three water companies have also decided not to shut off water service during winter months for those suffering financial hardship in the state of Illinois | File Photo
Many residents of Illinois who will be strapped financially this winter may be able to breathe easier knowing their utility connection is secure. Several Illinois utilities announced voluntary decisions to not disconnect any residential customers during the cold months.
According to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), this decision applies to customers of the following utility companies: Peoples Gas, Ameren Illinois, North Shore, ComEd, Nicor and Liberty Utilities, and is in effect as of Dec. 1.
These electric and gas utilities were joined by three water utilities, Illinois American Water, Aqua Illinois and Utility Services of Illinois, who also announced no forced shut-offs of water services for residential customers this year. Eligible customers for the water utility protection would be in the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) and anyone who self-reports financial hardship.
Six utility companies throughout the state of Illinois announced the decision to not disconnect services during winter months
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Customers are responsible for contacting their local utilities to report their participation in programs like LIHEAP and PIPP, or to report their financial troubles to avoid disconnection of water.
In a Nov. 26 article from WPSD Local 6 News, Illinois Commerce Commission chair, Carrie Zalewski, said that the decision came as a second wave of COVID-19 cases sweeps across the state.
"Difficult times lie ahead in Illinois...The growing concerns of this virus have prompted the state's largest gas and electric utilities to voluntarily stop disconnections for all residential customers immediately. We all must do as much as we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 and encourage each other to stay home and stay safe. I commend the utility companies who have stepped up to provide this needed protection for all of their residential customers," said Zalewski.
Participating utilities, in partnership with the ICC and consumer advocate groups, also put in place bill payment assistance programs and extended deferred payment arrangements (DPAs). Customers can opt for drawn-out DPAs with smaller down payments through Dec. 26.
Find out more about qualifying for low-income utility programs like LIHEAP and PIPP here.
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