News
From the Illinois Senate
State Senators A.J. Wilhelmi & Toi Hutchinson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2009
217.782.0085

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jillian Dykhoff

GOVERNOR SIGNS LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE BILL

Springfield, IL- Legislation giving energy assistance relief to more
low-income families in Illinois sponsored by State Sens. A.J. Wilhelmi
(D-Joliet) and Toi Hutchinson (D – Olympia Fields) was signed by
Governor Pat Quinn yesterday.

House Bill 796 allows for the state to capture more federal dollars and
assist more families by raising the income eligibility from 150 percent
of the poverty level to 200 percent.  The Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Illinois Home Weatherization
Assistance Program (IHWAP) provide energy bill and weatherization
assistance to qualified families.  While the program has been in
existence since 1982, it received a boost of additional funding through
the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this year.

“With cooler temperatures coming soon, I thank Governor Quinn for
understanding the importance of this bill and signing it yesterday,”
said Senator Wilhelmi.  ”The raising of the eligibility level to 200
percent gives more families a chance to keep up with their growing
energy bills.”

The increase in eligibility will allow 27,000 families to benefit from
IHWAP this year, an increase from 7,700 households last year.

“A lot of focus in this program is put on the seniors in our community,”
said Hutchinson.  ”This gives seniors who are trying to pay their bills,
afford food, and purchase multiple prescriptions some much needed relief
and the chance to stay warm this winter.”