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The initiative provides more affordable reconnection
terms to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
recipients who have had their utilities services disconnected. Nicor
Gas, Peoples Energy, and Ameren have agreed to again participate in
the Good Samaritan initiative for the fourth consecutive year. For
information on energy assistance or conservation tips, families can
visit the Keep Warm Illinois website at www.keepwarm.illinois.gov or
call the toll-free Keep Warm Illinois hotline at
1-877-411-WARM. "We are making every effort to make
sure that we keep families healthy and safe this winter. The Good
Samaritan Initiative will help thousands of Illinois households that
have been disconnected get their service restored at an affordable
cost," said
Governor Blagojevich. "I thank Ameren, Nicor Gas, and Peoples Energy
for helping to make sure that families, particularly children and
seniors do not suffer during these cold months."
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 LIHEAP 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 Good Samaritan Energy Initiative will help
thousands of low-income households receive heat
during cold winter months," Lt. Governor Pat Quinn said. "Every year
there are too many stories of fatal residential fires caused by
make-shift heating methods, including defective space heaters, and
we're trying to prevent the devastating consequences of disconnected
utility services."
Lt. Governor Quinn also encouraged Illinois citizens to 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 and are tax deductible. To voluntarily
contribute to the Good Samaritan Energy Trust Fund, send
tax-deductible donations to the Good Samaritan Trust Fund, P.O. Box
19154, Springfield, IL 62794.
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 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. 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
administrating agencies and additional information about the grant
program, go to www.liheapillinois.com, or call the toll-free Keep
Warm Illinois hotline at 1-877-411-WARM.
Governor Blagojevich launched the Keep Warm Illinois
campaign and website 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 this winter. The Keep Warm Illinois website
(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 hotline
(1-877-411-WARM) is another resource for Illinois residents to learn
how to save energy and get energy assistance.
This e-mail is a service of the State of Illinois.
If you have any questions about this e-mail or the
attached document, please contact the Illinois Office of
Communication and Information (IOCI), Room 611, Stratton Office
Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706, (217) 558-1548.
[News release]
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