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(305 ILCS 20/2) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 1402)
Sec. 2. Findings and Intent.
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) the health, welfare, and prosperity of the people |
| of the State of Illinois require that all citizens receive essential levels of heat and electric service regardless of economic circumstance;
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(2) public utilities and other entities providing
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| such services are entitled to receive proper payment for services actually rendered;
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(3) variability of Federal low income energy
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| assistance funding necessitates a State response to ensure the continuity and the further development of energy assistance and related policies and programs within Illinois;
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(4) energy assistance policies and programs in effect
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| in Illinois have benefited all Illinois citizens, and should therefore be continued with the modifications provided herein; and
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(5) low-income households are unable to afford
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| essential utility services and other necessities, such as food, shelter, and medical care; 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; costs of collecting past due bills and uncollectible balances are reflected in rates paid by all ratepayers; society benefits if essential utility services are affordable and arrearages and disconnections are minimized for those most in need.
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(b) Consistent with its findings, the General Assembly declares that it
is the policy of the State that:
(1) a comprehensive low income energy assistance
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| policy and program should be established which incorporates income assistance, home weatherization, and other measures to ensure that citizens have access to affordable energy services;
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(2) the ability of public utilities and other
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| entities to receive just compensation for providing services should not be jeopardized by this policy;
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(3) resources applied in achieving this policy should
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| be coordinated and efficiently utilized through the integration of public programs and through the targeting of assistance; and
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(4) the State should utilize all appropriate and
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| available means to fund this program and, to the extent possible, should identify and utilize sources of funding which complement State tax revenues.
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(Source: P.A. 96-33, eff. 7-10-09.)
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