CEDA Tracked Bills
State
The bill amends the Public Utilities Act to authorize the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve low-income discount rates for residential electric and natural gas customers, which apply to the entire bill, including delivery and supply charges. These discounts are funded through a surcharge on customer bills, and the changes apply retroactively from January 1, 2023. The Energy Assistance Act is updated to allow the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to set annual eligibility levels at up to 300% of the federal poverty level for state funds. It increases the annual administrative expense cap for the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund from 13% to 15%, with at least 9% allocated to local agencies. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Base Energy Assistance Charge will be $0.80 per month for utilities implementing low-income discount rates and $0.40 for those not, reflecting a shift in funding based on utility participation in discount programs.
The bill authorizes the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve low-income discount rates for residential electric and natural gas customers, covering all charges on the customer's bill, funded through a utility surcharge, with retroactive application starting January 1, 2023. It modifies the Energy Assistance Act to allow up to 15% administrative expenses for the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, with at least 9% allocated to local agencies, and establishes a base energy assistance charge of $0.80 per month for utilities required to offer low-income discounts, effective January 1, 2027. The charge is set at $0.40 per month for utilities not required to offer such discounts and contributing to the fund. The changes also adjust eligibility thresholds for state-funded assistance, with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity considering funding availability and not setting limits above 300% of the federal poverty level when determining eligibility for the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund.
The bill amends the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act to prohibit the State or local governments from imposing fines or criminal penalties on individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness for engaging in life-sustaining activities such as sleeping, eating, or resting on public property. It establishes a necessity defense for charges related to such activities, shifting the burden of proof to the prosecution if the individual was experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The law also requires notice before enforcement and mandates that authorities provide transportation and social services to address shelter and housing needs. Exceptions are allowed only when there is an imminent risk to public health or safety, and home rule units are limited from enacting rules inconsistent with the law, reinforcing state-level oversight under the Illinois Constitution.