SB0175 Engrossed LRB095 07145 DRJ 27272 b

1     AN ACT concerning public aid.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Energy Assistance Act is amended by changing
5 Section 4 as follows:
 
6     (305 ILCS 20/4)  (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 1404)
7     Sec. 4. Energy Assistance Program.
8     (a) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services
9 Economic Opportunity is hereby authorized to institute a
10 program to ensure the availability and affordability of heating
11 and electric service to low income citizens. The Department
12 shall implement the program by rule promulgated pursuant to The
13 Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The program shall be
14 consistent with the purposes and objectives of this Act and
15 with all other specific requirements provided herein. The
16 Department may enter into such contracts and other agreements
17 with local agencies as may be necessary for the purpose of
18 administering the energy assistance program.
19     (b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as altering or
20 limiting the authority conferred on the Illinois Commerce
21 Commission by the Public Utilities Act to regulate all aspects
22 of the provision of public utility service, including but not
23 limited to the authority to make rules and adjudicate disputes

 

 

SB0175 Engrossed - 2 - LRB095 07145 DRJ 27272 b

1 between utilities and customers related to eligibility for
2 utility service, deposits, payment practices, discontinuance
3 of service, and the treatment of arrearages owing for
4 previously rendered utility service.
5     (c) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is
6 authorized to institute an outreach program directed at
7 low-income minority heads of households and heads of households
8 age 60 or older. The Department shall implement the program
9 through rules adopted pursuant to the Illinois Administrative
10 Procedure Act. The program shall be consistent with the
11 purposes and objectives of this Act and with all other specific
12 requirements set forth in this subsection (c).
13 (Source: P.A. 94-773, eff. 5-18-06; 94-793, eff. 5-19-06;
14 revised 8-3-06.)
 
15     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
16 becoming law.