(220 ILCS 5/8-201.8) Sec. 8-201.8. Prohibition on late payment fees for low-income residential customers or applicants. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, an electric utility shall not charge a low-income residential customer or applicant a fee, charge, or penalty for late payment of any utility bill or invoice. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, as of January 1, 2023, a natural gas utility shall not charge a low-income residential customer or applicant a fee, charge, or penalty for late payment of any utility bill or invoice. (b) As used in this Section, "low-income residential customer or applicant" means: (i) a member of a household at or below 80% of the latest median household income as reported by the United States Census Bureau for the most applicable community or county; (ii) a member of a household at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; (iii) a person who is eligible for the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; (iv) a person who is eligible to participate in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP or PIP Plan) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; or (v) a person who is eligible to receive Lifeline service as defined in the Universal Service Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985.
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.) |