HB4118 - UTIL-TERMINATION GRACE PERIOD

13 Co-Sponsors

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that each electric and gas utility serving more than 500,000 customers in the State shall implement a Disconnection Protection Program. Provides that where customers have applied for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), the customer shall be temporarily protected from disconnection for 30 days after the utility receives notice from a local administrative agency that the customer has submitted an application to LIHEAP or PIPP. Provides that, in cases where LIHEAP or PIPP assistance is received, the customer shall be protected from disconnection for another 45 days after receiving the notice. Provides that any customer who applies for, but does not receive, LIHEAP or PIPP assistance shall only be temporarily protected from disconnection once in any program year. Provides that each electric and gas utility may recover costs for implementation, administration, and ongoing operation of the utility's Disconnection Protection Program through the utility's revenue requirement, subject to a review for prudence and reasonableness by the Illinois Commerce Commission.