Keep Warm Illinois workshops to be held at Menards statewide on Saturday

Springfield and Normal workshops offer tips to weatherize homes and help reduce energy costs         

[NOV. 19, 2005]  CHICAGO -- Continuing his efforts to inform and educate Illinois residents about rapidly rising energy prices, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced an important partnership that will provide vital home weatherization and energy conservation information at hardware stores throughout the state. On Saturday, Menards retail stores will host Keep Warm Illinois Day. Throughout the day, consumers can ask the experts how to use many readily available practices and products to reduce home energy bills. People can now also call the Keep Warm Illinois phone line, 1 (877) 411-WARM, for information about energy conservation, energy assistance or to find a home energy savings workshop near them. The information line is available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"It's important to get a head start on winter and take steps to prepare for higher energy bills, whether you dial down the thermostat or take easy steps to weatherize your home," Blagojevich said. "Illinois residents have access to workshops throughout the state at Menards stores and local community colleges, where you can learn new tips to ensure your energy bill is more affordable."

The events will take place at all of the 48 Menards locations across Illinois as part of the governor's Keep Warm Illinois campaign. A full listing of the workshop times and locations is available at www.keepwarm.illinois.gov, or call 1 (877) 411-WARM. Designated Menards team members will offer workshops with tips for consumers on home weatherization and energy conservation. At least 10,000 free Energy Star programmable thermostats, a $25 to $29 value, will be given to workshop participants, as long as supplies last. Programmable thermostats are an easy, immediate step homeowners can take to save approximately 3 percent on their energy costs for every degree the thermostat is lowered, with an average of $100 savings in the first year of use.

"Menards is proud to be a participant with Governor Blagojevich's Keep Warm Illinois winter savings promotion," said Dan Sweeney, electrical buyer at Menards. "It is an honor to be able to offer free programmable thermostats to the residents of Illinois to offset their rising heating costs, especially this year when they are projected to be at a record high."

In addition to the events at Menards, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has scheduled dozens of energy savings workshops at community colleges throughout the state. Coupons for the free programmable thermostats will also be distributed at these events. To learn more about these workshops or tips to save energy, visit www.keepwarm.illinois.gov or call 1 (877) 411-WARM.

"The winter heating season will likely bring much higher heating bills, and Governor Blagojevich has launched workshops throughout the state to ensure Illinois residents can easily make their bills more affordable," said Jack Lavin, director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "Governor Blagojevich and I encourage all Illinoisans -- especially senior citizens and those with lower incomes -- to attend a workshop and learn how to keep warm this winter while saving money."

The 48 Menard stores taking part in the Keep Warm Illinois Day are:

• Batavia, 300 N. Randall Road
• Bolingbrook, 290 N. Bolingbrook Drive
• Bradley, 1260 Christine Drive
• Bridgeview, 9140 S. Harlem Ave.
• Carpentersville, 2303 Randall Road
• Champaign, 620 Town Center Boulevard
• Chicago, 2601 N. Clybourn Ave.
• Chicago, 4626 Diversey Ave.
• Crestwood, 13120 Rivercrest Drive
• Crystal Lake, 4850 Route 14
• Danville, 36 East West Newell Road
• Dolton, 14975 Lincoln Ave.
• Effingham, 1100 Ave. of Mid-America
• Elgin, 825 S. Randall Road
• Forsyth, 1450 Koester Drive
• Fox Lake, 1400 S. U.S. Highway 12
• Freeport, 1211 W. Galena Ave.
• Glendale Heights, 521 E. North Ave.
• Gurnee, 6401 Grand Ave.
• Hanover Park, 900 Irving Park Road
• Hillside, 101 North Wolf Road #4
• Hoffman Estates, 2300 W. Higgins Road
• Homewood, 17545 Halsted St.
• Joliet, 2450 W. Jefferson St.
• Kewanee, 157 W. South
• Lombard, 1000-32 Rowling Road
• Machesney Park, 10253 N. Second St.
• Matteson, 21630 Cicero Ave.
• Melrose Park, 8311 W. North Ave.
• Moline, 4100 10th St. Drive
• Morton Grove, 6301 Oakton St.
• Mount Prospect, 740 E. Randall Road
• Mundelein, 120 Oak Creek Plaza
• Naperville, 715 Fort Hill Drive
• Normal, 200 N. Greenbriar Drive
• Palatine, 1775 N. Rand Road
• Pekin, 3535 Court St.
• Peoria, 2211 W. Pioneer Parkway
• Peru, 5353 Mahoney Drive
• Rockford, 2001 S. Perryville Road
• Schaumburg, 2300 W. Higgins Road
• Skokie, 6001 Oakton St.
• Springfield, 3325 S. Veterans Parkway
• Sterling, 3800 E. Lincolnway
• Sycamore, 1825 Mercantile Drive
• Tinley Park, 6851 159th St.
• West Chicago, 220 W. North Ave.
• Yorkville, 1800 Marketview Drive

Blagojevich launched the comprehensive Keep Warm Illinois campaign in response to the spike in energy prices that is affecting consumers nationwide. State agencies are coordinating their efforts to ensure Illinois residents have the information and resources they need to better manage their home energy costs. Efforts include the website www.keepwarm.illinois.gov, which offers energy-saving tips, a Web-based tool to conduct home energy audits, information on energy assistance programs and schedules for home weatherization and energy assistance events. Residents can also call 1 (877) 411-WARM to learn how to conserve energy and apply for energy assistance. To ensure that Illinoisans have the assistance they need with skyrocketing energy costs, the governor also continues to call upon President Bush and congressional leaders to approve additional federal funding for programs that help low-income families pay their utility bills and weatherize their homes.

[News release from the governor's office]

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