 Quinn also signed an executive order moving the Low-Income Home
Energy Assistance Program and the Illinois Home Weatherization
Assistance Program to the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity. The move will improve accountability and accessibility
and help ensure all Illinois households have access to affordable
energy services.
"I want to thank the Illinois Association of Community Action
Agencies for all that they are doing to aid families across
Illinois, especially during these tough economic times," Quinn said.
"This executive order will help us better assist families across the
state that are unable to meet the demands of their increasing
utility bills."
LIHEAP and IHWAP have been administered by the Department of
Health and Family Services since 2004. The current economic crisis,
coupled with increased energy costs, has left many low-income
families unable to pay their utility bills. This has resulted in a
dramatic need for these programs.
DCEO's expertise in energy efficiency and in community
development is aligned with the programs' goals of developing energy
sustainability and ensuring that energy costs do not cripple
Illinois businesses and families. The transfer to DCEO will provide
more efficient use of expertise and facilities and allow for greater
response to the needs of Illinois' low-income families.
Quinn was joined by Warren Ribley, director of the Department of
Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Dalitso Sulamoyo, CEO of the
Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies.
[Text from news release from
the governor's office] |
