95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
SB0175


 
Introduced 1/31/2007, by Sen. Martin A. Sandoval
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 		














305 ILCS 20/4
  from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 1404







    Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services is authorized to institute an outreach program directed at low-income minority heads of households and heads of households age 60 or older. Provides that the program shall be consistent with the purposes and objectives of the Act and with all other specific requirements set forth in these provisions. Provides that as part of the program, the Department shall permit Case Coordination Units, under contract with the Department on Aging, to prepare and submit applications for energy assistance in the names of their clients in accordance with procedures established by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Provides that the Department shall establish a web-based application for use by applicants for energy assistance, their families, or someone acting on their behalf. Effective immediately.
















LRB095 07145 DRJ 27272 b

















FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
















 


 


A BILL FOR









 











SB0175

LRB095 07145 DRJ 27272 b






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    AN ACT concerning public aid.

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


 
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    Section 5. The Energy Assistance Act is amended  by changing 
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Section 4 as follows:
 



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    (305 ILCS 20/4)  (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 1404)



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    Sec. 4. Energy Assistance Program. 

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    (a) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services 
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Economic Opportunity is hereby authorized to institute a 
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program to
ensure
the availability and affordability of heating 
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and electric service to low
income citizens.  The Department 
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shall implement the program by rule
promulgated pursuant to The 
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Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
The program shall be 
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consistent
with the purposes and objectives of this Act and 
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with all other specific
requirements provided herein.  The 
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Department may enter
into such contracts and other agreements 
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with local agencies as may be
necessary for the purpose of 
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administering the energy assistance program.

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    (b)
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as altering or 
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limiting the
authority conferred on the Illinois Commerce 
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Commission by the Public
Utilities Act to regulate all aspects 
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of the provision of public utility
service, including but not 
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limited to the authority to make rules and
adjudicate disputes 
 


 






SB0175
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LRB095 07145 DRJ 27272 b




1
between utilities and customers related to eligibility
for 
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utility service, deposits, payment practices, discontinuance 
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of
service, and the treatment of arrearages owing for 
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previously rendered
utility service.

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    (c) The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is 
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authorized to institute an outreach program directed at 
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low-income minority heads of households and heads of households 
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age 60 or older. The Department shall implement the program 
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through rules adopted pursuant to the Illinois Administrative 
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Procedure Act. The program shall be consistent with the 
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purposes and objectives of this Act and with all other specific 
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requirements set forth in this subsection (c). As part of the 
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program, the Department shall permit Case Coordination Units, 
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under contract with the Department on Aging, to prepare and 
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submit applications for energy assistance in the names of their 
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clients in accordance with procedures established by the 
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Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The Department 
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shall establish a web-based application for use by applicants 
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for energy assistance, their families, or someone acting on 
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their behalf.

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(Source: P.A. 94-773, eff. 5-18-06; 94-793, eff. 5-19-06; 
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revised 8-3-06.)

 

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    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
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becoming law.