HB5271 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 18293 SMS 33498 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB5271

Introduced , by Rep. Sam Yingling

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

220 ILCS 5/8-209.5 new

Amends the Service Obligations and Conditions Article of the Public Utilities Act. Requires a public utility to make a good faith effort to provide notice to a consumer through email or U.S. mail before assigning an account to a collection agency for non-payment of an outstanding bill. Effective January 1, 2019.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding Section 8-209.5 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/8-209.5 new)

Sec. 8-209.5. Collection agency notice. Before a public utility assigns an account to a collection agency for non-payment of an outstanding utility bill, the public utility shall make a good faith effort to provide written notice of the assignment to the consumer through email or U.S. mail.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2019.