92nd General Assembly
Summary of SB2235
   [ Home ]   [ Back ]   [ Legislation ]
Legislation:  
Please enter a bill number.



 Full Text  Bill Status
Senate Sponsors:
RAUSCHENBERGER-MAITLAND-TROTTER.

House Sponsors:
MORROW-BLACK-NOVAK-SMITH,MICHAEL-SLONE

Short description: 
ENERGY ASSISTANCE ACT                                                      

Synopsis of Bill as introduced:
        Amends the  Energy  Assistance  Act  of  1989.  Repeals  Sections      
   concerning   the   recycled  cellulose  insulation  plan,  interagency      
   agreements, aid to families with dependent children,  and  the  Energy      
   Assistance Program Design Group. Changes the short title of the Act to      
   the "Energy Assistance Act". Authorizes the Department of Commerce and      
   Community  Affairs  to  promote (instead of "ensure") the availability      
   and  affordability  of  heating  and  electric  costs  to  low  income      
   citizens. Removes the requirement that the Department have  an  energy      
   assistance  program  in  operation  by  November  1, 1989. Changes the      
   membership and duties of  the  Low  Income  Energy  Assistance  Policy      
   Advisory  Council.  Provides  that  1/3  of  the  funds for the energy      
   assistance program  go  to  benefits  to  be  made  available  to  the      
   households with the lowest incomes (instead of those that are eligible      
   for  public  assistance).  Provides that assistance levels be adjusted      
   annually on the basis of energy costs as well as funding availability.      
   Provides that certain households are offered  a  priority  application      
   period  (instead of a one-month application period). Provides that the      
   Department may provide  additional  benefits  to  certain  applicants.      
   Provides  that  the  weatherization plan must include an evaluation of      
   results from the weatherization program every third year  (instead  of      
   annually).  Provides  that  the Department of Natural Resources submit      
   reports on September 30 biennially,  beginning  in  2003  (instead  of      
   March  15  of each year beginning in 1991). Provides report procedures      
   and requirements for the  Department  of  Natural  Resources.  Removes      
   requirement,  for  determining which customers will participate in the      
   weatherization component of the Energy Assistance  Fund.  Removes  the      
   provision that if, as of June 30, 2007 (instead of June 30, 2002), the      
   Energy  Assistance  Program  has  not  been replaced by a new program,      
   which is in operation, then  the  General  Assembly  may  (instead  of      
   "shall")  review  the  program.  Provides  that, in its use of federal      
   funds, the Department may not cause a disproportionate share of  those      
   funds  to  benefit  customers of systems that do not assess the Energy      
   Assistance Charge. Revises cross-references to the  new  short  title.      
   Effective immediately.                                                      
        SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1.                                                
        Adds 2  members  to  the  Low  Income  Energy  Assistance  Policy      
   Advisory Council.                                                           
        SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 2.                                                
        Makes technical corrections.                                           
        HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1.                                                 
        Adds 3  members  to  the  Low  Income  Energy  Assistance  Policy      
   Advisory  Council  who shall be designated by the Mayor of the City of      
   Chicago.                                                                    
        HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2.                                                 
        Restores a finding in current law that "the health, welfare,  and      
   prosperity  of  the  people  of the State of Illinois require that all      
   citizens  receive  essential  levels  of  heat  and  electric  service      
   regardless  of  economic  circumstance".  Restores  a  declaration  in      
   current law that it is the policy of the State that  "a  comprehensive      
   low  income energy assistance policy and program should be established      
   which incorporates income assistance, home weatherization,  and  other      
   measures  to  ensure  that  citizens  have access to affordable energy      
   services". Restores a provision in current law that the Department  of      
   Commerce and Community Affairs is authorized to institute a program to      
   ensure  the  availability  and  affordability  of heating and electric      
   service to low income citizens. Deletes language in the engrossed bill      
   that would have repealed on  December  31,  2007  (unless  renewed  by      
   action  of  the General Assembly) provisions creating the Supplemental      
   Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund  and  governing  deposits  into  and      
   expenditures from the Fund.                                                 
        HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 3.                                                 
        Reinserts language that repeals, on  December  31,  2007  (unless      
   renewed  by  action  of the General Assembly), provisions creating the      
   Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund and governing  deposits      
   into and expenditures from the Fund.                                        
 
Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 92-0690

   Last action date: JUL-18-2002

           Location: Senate

 Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE -   3     SENATE -   2


   END OF INQUIRY 
                                                                               



 Full Text  Bill Status