summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions concerning nondiscrimination, provides that the Commission is authorized to approve a low-income discount rate for residential electric and natural gas customers that applies to the entirety of a qualifying customer's bill, including, but not limited to, a qualifying customer's delivery service charges and energy supply charges. Provides that an electric or natural gas utility may fund low-income discount rates through a surcharge on customers' electric and natural gas bills. Provides that the changes to the Act apply retroactively on and after January 1, 2023. Amends the Energy Assistance Act. In provisions concerning eligibility under the Act, provides that, in setting the annual eligibility level for the use of State funds from the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall consider the amount of available funding and may not set a limit higher than 300% of the federal nonfarm poverty level. In provisions concerning the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, provides that the yearly administrative expenses of the Fund may not exceed 15% (rather than 13%) of the amount collected during that year, except when unspent funds from the Fund are reallocated from a previous year. Provides that any unspent balance of the 15% administrative allowance may be utilized for administrative expenses in the year they are reallocated. Provides that, of the 15% administrative allowance, no less than 9% (rather than 8%) shall be provided to Local Administrative Agencies for administrative expenses. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the Base Energy Assistance Charge shall be $0.80 per month for each utility that is required by the Illinois Commerce Commission to implement a low-income discount rate and shall be $0.40 per month for each utility that is not required to implement a low-income discount rate and that contributes to the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund. Makes other changes.
AI Summary
This bill expands eligibility for low-income utility rate discounts and modifies funding mechanisms for energy assistance programs. Specifically, it allows the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to approve low-income discount rates for residential electric and natural gas customers that cover their entire bill, including delivery and supply charges, and permits utilities to fund these discounts through a surcharge on all customer bills, with these changes applying retroactively to January 1, 2023. The bill also adjusts eligibility for the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, allowing the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to set the eligibility level up to 300% of the federal poverty level for state funds. Furthermore, it increases the allowable administrative expenses for this fund from 13% to 15% of collected funds, with at least 9% of that allowance going to Local Administrative Agencies, and establishes new monthly charges for utilities contributing to the fund, with a higher charge for utilities required to offer low-income discounts starting January 1, 2027.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Assigned to Appropriations (on 02/17/2026)
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