New Low-Income Fund Announced in Chicago

A new $1.5 million fund will help low-income families in Chicago that have been disconnected. 

Commonwealth Edison, the city’s largest utility, is contributing an initial $1 million and city government $500,000, to the “PowerUp” program.  Customers disconnected for nonpayment who are ineligible for LIHEAP but earn less than 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines will get one-time $400 grants.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daly said the fund would help prevent fires such as the one that killed six children in the Chicago area in September 2006.  The fire started by a candle used to help light an apartment where the electricity had been turned off because the family hadn’t paid its bill. 

The Mayor said PowerUp was also needed because of the recent stretch of bitterly cold weather and an electric rate increase from ComEd averaging 22 percent, effective in January.  (The rate increase is still being contested in the state legislature.)

ComEd also agreed to provide the city with the addresses where electric service has been disconnected for nonpayment so city staff can make “well-being checks” on residents at those addresses.  The utility will also add a feature to its monthly bills to allow residential customers to contribute to PowerUp;  the utility will then match the first $500,000 worth of contributions from customers.

Source: Chicago newspapers

Page Last Updated: March 1, 2007