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In the 2002 State of
the State Address, Gov. Ryan renamed the LIHEAP program in honor of
Sen. John W. Maitland, who had been a member of the initial program
design group and a long-time supporter of the LIHEAP program.
"Establishing LIHEAP
has been one of Sen. Maitland’s great contributions to the state of
Illinois," said Gov. Ryan. "With the support of Sen. Maitland, the
General Assembly, Community Action Agencies, utilities, community
groups and consumer advocates, Illinois’ LIHEAP has built upon its
initial success and expanded this essential program to bring heating
and cooling relief to low-income residents across Illinois."
LIHEAP is a federal
grant program that helps low-income households meet the costs of
home energy. DCCA provides funds to the state’s network of Community
Action Agencies, enabling these community-based organizations to
assist income-eligible households in paying a portion of winter
heating costs, reconnecting to energy sources, and (depending on
program availability) paying a portion of the costs for medically
necessary cooling.
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article]
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In the
2002 fiscal year the total appropriation for LIHEAP was $148
million, of which $83 million was federal funds and $65 million
state funds. To date the LIHEAP program has provided assistance to
280,000 people in 2002.
Senate
Bill 2235 amends the Energy Assistance Act of 1989, providing
additional legislative guidance to DCCA for LIHEAP, and includes a
restructuring of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Policy Advisory Council, which advises DCCA on the administration of
its energy assistance and weathering programs. The membership of the
council is also expanded to 20 from 15.
Senate Bill 2235 was
sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin; Sen.
John Maitland, R-Bloomington; and Sen. Donnie E. Trotter, D-Chicago.
House sponsors included Rep. Charles Morrow, D-Chicago; Rep. Bill
Black, R-Danville; Rep. Phil Novak, D-Bradley; Rep. Michael Smith,
D-Canton; and Rep. Ricca Slone, D-Peoria Heights.
[Illinois
Government News Network
press release]
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