SB0175 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 07145 DRJ 27272 b

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.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

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

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

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

Sec. 4. Energy Assistance Program.

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

(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as altering or limiting the authority conferred on the Illinois Commerce Commission by the Public Utilities Act to regulate all aspects of the provision of public utility service, including but not limited to the authority to make rules and adjudicate disputes between utilities and customers related to eligibility for utility service, deposits, payment practices, discontinuance of service, and the treatment of arrearages owing for previously rendered utility service.

(c) 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. The Department shall implement the program through rules adopted pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The program shall be consistent with the purposes and objectives of this Act and with all other specific requirements set forth in this subsection (c). 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. The Department shall establish a web-based application for use by applicants for energy assistance, their families, or someone acting on their behalf.

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

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