Legislation to protect residents from gas or electric utility service disconnection for nonpayment of bills has been passed by the Illinois House of Representatives.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul initiated House Bill 1541 to amend the Public Utilities Act (PUA).

The legislation is for when temperatures are 90 F or above, or when the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat watch, heat advisory, or excessive heat warning.

Raoul’s Public Utilities Bureau identified the statutory protections found in the PUA are insufficient to protect the most vulnerable Illinois citizens such as older adults, very young children, people with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, and people who are overweight.

Raoul reminded lawmakers that to accurately assess the danger of heat, both humidity and temperature must be considered.  Energy and Policy Institute data shows Illinois had the most gas and electric service disconnections in the Nation for nonpayment in 2022.