Help for low-income families to pay high summer cooling bills         

Gov. Blagojevich announces $8 million energy grant program to begin July 31

[JULY 18, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- With temperatures soaring past 90 for the next several days, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced that the state will make $8 million in funding available starting July 31 for a summer energy assistance program. The governor also reminded Illinoisans to take advantage of statewide cooling centers and to take steps to avoid complications and health risks that can come with scorching hot temperatures.  [Keeping cool tips]

LIHEAP summer cooling program: Through the LIHEAP summer cooling program, electricity bill payments will be made on behalf of vulnerable residents at risk. Just last week, ComEd gave the state of Illinois $1 million to expand the 2006 summer program to help LIHEAP-eligible households.

LIHEAP is a state- and federally funded energy assistance program that assists households with incomes of up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level. A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,225, a two-person household up to $1,650, and a family of four can earn up to $2,500. Benefits will be paid directly to the household's electric utility.

The energy grant applications will be processed through a network of 36 local administering agencies around the state. These agencies will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis from eligible households July 31 through Aug. 18, or until funding for the summer program is exhausted.

[State news release]