SB0175 Engrossed

LRB095 07145 DRJ 27272 b






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    AN ACT concerning public aid.

 
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    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
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represented in the General Assembly:

 
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    Section 5. The Energy Assistance Act is amended  by changing 
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Section 4 as follows:
 



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    (305 ILCS 20/4)  (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 1404)



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    Sec. 4. Energy Assistance Program. 

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    (a) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services 
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Economic Opportunity is hereby authorized to institute a 
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program to
ensure
the availability and affordability of heating 
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and electric service to low
income citizens.  The Department 
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shall implement the program by rule
promulgated pursuant to The 
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Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
The program shall be 
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consistent
with the purposes and objectives of this Act and 
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with all other specific
requirements provided herein.  The 
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Department may enter
into such contracts and other agreements 
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with local agencies as may be
necessary for the purpose of 
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administering the energy assistance program.

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    (b)
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as altering or 
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limiting the
authority conferred on the Illinois Commerce 
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Commission by the Public
Utilities Act to regulate all aspects 
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of the provision of public utility
service, including but not 
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limited to the authority to make rules and
adjudicate disputes 
 


 






SB0175 Engrossed
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LRB095 07145 DRJ 27272 b




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between utilities and customers related to eligibility
for 
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utility service, deposits, payment practices, discontinuance 
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of
service, and the treatment of arrearages owing for 
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previously rendered
utility service.

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    (c) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is 
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authorized to institute an outreach program directed at 
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low-income minority heads of households and heads of households 
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age 60 or older. The Department shall implement the program 
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through rules adopted pursuant to the Illinois Administrative 
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Procedure Act. The program shall be consistent with the 
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purposes and objectives of this Act and with all other specific 
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requirements set forth in this subsection (c).

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(Source: P.A. 94-773, eff. 5-18-06; 94-793, eff. 5-19-06; 
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revised 8-3-06.)

 

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    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
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becoming law.