HR0899 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0899 LRB100 21098 MST 36965 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The recent federal budget proposed by President Trump includes a total elimination of federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); such a reduction will threaten the continuation of a number of State of Illinois initiatives that have relied on the LIHEAP program; and

WHEREAS, LIHEAP is a vital lifeline to low income families, working poor households, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities in meeting their energy needs throughout the State of Illinois; it also assists with the stability critical for child development; and

WHEREAS, Low income families, working poor households, many senior citizens, and persons with disabilities are often unable to afford essential utility services and other necessities, such as food, shelter, and medical care; and

WHEREAS, The health and safety of those who are unable to afford essential utility services suffer when monthly payments for these services exceed a reasonable percentage of the customer's household income; and

WHEREAS, The LIHEAP program is an important part of a two-part energy assistance strategy designed by the State of Illinois to provide energy assistance payments to low income households through LIHEAP while promoting energy efficiency through the Department of Energy weatherization program; and

WHEREAS, LIHEAP is a targeted block grant program, which provides built-in flexibility in federal-state partnerships that assist low-income customers to meet their bill payment obligations, to prevent service terminations in winter and heat emergencies, to help households make the transition from public assistance, and to weatherize homes and repair defective heating equipment; and

WHEREAS, Many low income Illinoisans do not have sufficient income to pay for the basic necessities of life and are experiencing a crisis in paying home energy bills, thereby contributing to a health and safety crisis which becomes disruptive to Illinois families and children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we support adequate and uninterrupted federal funding for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Illinois Congressional Delegation to advocate for appropriate and sufficient funding for LIHEAP for the coming federal fiscal year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be provided to all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.