 The governor's announcement is part of the 2007 Keep Warm Illinois
campaign, which highlights state efforts to provide energy resources
and education to all Illinoisans. The campaign informs and prepares
Illinois residents, especially the elderly, families with small
children and people with disabilities, for high home heating costs
this winter. For information on energy assistance or weatherization
tips, families can visit the Keep Warm Illinois site at
www.keepwarm.illinois.gov or call the toll-free Keep Warm Illinois
line at 1-877-411-WARM (9276)."We are making every effort to help
families stay connected to their heat and energy during the winter
so they don't have to make impossible choices between paying their
heating bills or putting food on the table," said Blagojevich. "With
winter temperatures approaching fast, I urge all families who are
eligible for LIHEAP to apply now so they can be safe and healthy in
the months ahead."
Through LIHEAP, an energy assistance program funded by the state
and federal governments and run by the Illinois Department of
Healthcare and Family Services, heating bill payments are made on
behalf of 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. Benefits are paid
directly to the household's appropriate utility.
"The LIHEAP program benefits families and seniors across
Illinois," said Barry Maram, Illinois Department of Healthcare and
Family Services director. "We are aggressively reaching out to every
community through our local Community Action agencies to make sure
that families know what benefits are available to help them stay
warm and safe in the winter."
LIHEAP energy grant applications are processed through a network
of 35 local Community Action agencies around the state. These
agencies started accepting applications on a first-come,
first-served basis from the elderly, disabled people and other
priority households on Sept. 1 and from all income-eligible
households on Nov. 1. 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 Community Action agencies and additional information about the
grant program, go to www.liheapillinois.com or call the toll-free
Keep Warm Illinois line at 1-877-411-WARM (9276).
 The Keep Warm Illinois campaign and online site are available 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. Blagojevich's comprehensive
Keep Warm Illinois initiatives include:
The Keep Warm Illinois online site,
www.keepwarm.illinois.gov:
The Keep Warm Illinois site offers a variety of 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. The Keep Warm Illinois toll-free line, 1-877-411-WARM, is
also available as another resource for Illinois residents to learn
how to save energy and get energy assistance.
[to top of second column] |
 Warming centers: The Department of Human Services will
provide warming centers in every region of the state so that anyone
seeking refuge from the cold has a heated place to go when the
temperature drops. More information on the state's warming centers
is available by calling the Keep Warm Illinois toll-free line,
1-877-411-WARM (9276).
"I am pleased to once again join Governor
Blagojevich in providing space in DHS offices across the state as
warming centers," said Department of Human Services Secretary Carol
L. Adams, Ph.D. "The DHS warming centers proved to be a vital
resource last winter and helped ensure that no one was left out in
the cold."
Energy savings workshops: The Department of Healthcare and
Family Services will organize community workshops statewide through
community-based organizations and local governments. At these
workshops, Illinois residents will have access to information from
energy conservation experts on how to reduce overall energy costs. A
list of energy savings workshops can be found on
www.keepwarm.illinois.gov.
Illinois Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction
Program: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity has grants available to nonprofit housing developers
that include energy-efficient building practices in the rehab or
construction of affordable housing units. These building practices
often bring energy savings between 50 percent and 75 percent.
Winter storm preparation: Illinois experiences five severe
winter storms each year, on average. Nearly 80 people in the United
States die from winter storms and extreme cold every year, which is
more than the fatalities due to tornadoes. The hazards posed by
winter storms and extreme cold can be catastrophic. So, the Illinois
Emergency Management Agency will offer a Winter Storm Preparation
manual that includes important information on actions to take now
that will increase residents' chances of surviving winter storms and
extreme cold.
Senior safety: If seniors lower their thermostats to reduce
heating bills, they can put themselves at risk of developing
hypothermia, a potentially fatal condition in which the body
temperature drops dangerously low. They are at an increased risk
especially if they take certain medications, drink alcohol, lack
proper nutrition and have conditions such as arthritis, stroke,
Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The Department of Aging
will offer safety tips to Illinois seniors before winter begins to
help them prepare.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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