 "It takes the work of an entire community to ensure our citizens
stay warm and safe each winter," said Blagojevich. "The Good
Samaritan Initiative helps people get through some tough financial
barriers so they can heat their homes during the coldest months of
the year. I want to thank Nicor Gas, Peoples Energy and Ameren for
joining us in this year's Good Samaritan Initiative. Together, we
can make sure that our most vulnerable families, especially children
and the elderly, stay safe this winter."
The Good Samaritan Initiative will help disconnected low-income
customers by reducing the amount that the utility companies require
to restore service. LIHEAP beneficiaries whose outstanding balances
are too high to be covered by a grant alone but less than $3,000
will need to pay only $250, or 20 percent of the remaining balance,
whichever is less, to have their service restored. Customers must
also set up payment plans with their utilities for the remainder of
their balance.
"The public-private partnership behind the Good Samaritan
Initiative is just one example of how the Keep Warm Illinois
campaign continues to work in innovative ways to keep families and
individuals safe this winter season," said Barry Maram, director of
Healthcare and Family Services, which administers the LIHEAP
program. "Under Governor Blagojevich's leadership, Keep Warm
Illinois has continued to provide the needed support for families
and individuals that should not have to face severe financial
difficulties as they try to heat their homes."
Citizens can also contribute to the Good Samaritan Trust Fund.
The fund, which was established by law in 2003, allows Illinois
residents and businesses to voluntarily contribute money toward the
heating bills of low-income families. Contributions will benefit
low-income residents of the county from which funds were donated.
Donations are tax-deductible. To contribute to the Good Samaritan
Energy Trust Fund, send donations to: Good Samaritan Trust Fund,
P.O. Box 19154, Springfield, IL 62794.
For information on energy assistance or conservation tips,
families can call the Keep Warm Illinois toll-free line at
1-877-411-WARM (9276) or visit
www.keepwarm.illinois.gov.
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LIHEAP is a state- and federally funded energy assistance program
that aids 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 $1,276, a two-person household up to $1,711,
and a family of four can earn up to $2,581. LIHEAP energy grant
applications are processed through a network of 35 local
administering agencies around the state. The winter heating program
is expected to serve 300,000 households this winter with an
estimated $150 million in state and federal funding.
For a complete listing of LIHEAP's local administering agencies
and additional information about the grant program, go to
www.liheapillinois.com,
or call the toll-free Keep Warm Illinois number, 1-877-411-WARM
(9276).
Blagojevich launched the Keep Warm Illinois campaign and online
site in October to help all Illinoisans stay warm, healthy and safe
this winter. The Keep Warm Illinois campaign brings state agencies
together to coordinate efforts in preparing communities across the
state for high home heating costs. The Keep Warm Illinois online
site,
www.keepwarm.illinois.gov, offers various no-cost and low-cost
energy-saving tips, a Web-based tool to conduct a home energy audit,
links to energy assistance programs and other resources. In
addition, the Keep Warm Illinois toll-free line, 1-877-411-WARM
(9276), is another resource for Illinois residents to learn how to
save energy and get energy assistance.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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