Bill Text: IL HR0899 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Supports adequate and uninterrupted federal funding for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2018-05-17 - Resolution Adopted [HR0899 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR0899-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.