HR0724LRB099 13721 MST 37683 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Housing authorities and landlords can legally
3evict tenants if they do not pay their utilities, regardless of
4rent payment; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The Supplemental Low Income Home Energy
6Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help individuals
7survive extreme summer and winter temperatures - it prevents
8deaths and excessive emergency room hospitalizations and other
9public health costs often associated with heat-related
10illnesses; over 171,000 Illinois households rely on LIHEAP to
11provide them with adequate levels of heating and cooling; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Governor Rauner has issued a directive to suspend
13the expenditure of State funds under LIHEAP; this directive is
14dangerous and prohibited under Illinois law; the Governor's
15actions will not save the State any money and could, in fact,
16significantly increase preventable public health costs; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Without the aid of LIHEAP, many families and
18seniors will be unable to pay their utility bills and could be
19subject to eviction based on the legal protection for
20landlords; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Further confusing the situation, LIHEAP is

 

 

HR0724- 2 -LRB099 13721 MST 37683 r

1federally funded and that funding may not be distributed by
2Illinois State agencies without a State budget in place; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Cuts to LIHEAP put Illinois citizens in danger
4during extreme weather conditions and evicting them during this
5time puts them in further danger; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
8urge housing authorities and landlords statewide not to evict
9tenants based on an inability to pay utilities alone in light
10of the State budget impasse and cuts to the LIHEAP program; and
11be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
13delivered to all housing authorities throughout the State.