Governor's Proposed Suspension of LIHEAP Funding Endangers Illinois' Most Vulnerable Citizens

Emergency measure is prohibited in Illinois law

Statement from AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo

News provided by

Jun 11, 2015, 03:37 ET

CHICAGO, June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Governor Rauner's directive to suspend the expenditure of state funds under the Supplemental Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is dangerous and prohibited under Illinois law – the Governor does not have the authority to take this measure, and it endangers the lives of vulnerable Illinoisans, including individuals over age 65, people with disabilities or who have chronic medical conditions, and children under the age of five.

LIHEAP funds help individuals survive extreme summer and winter temperatures–they prevent deaths and excessive emergency room hospitalizations and other public health costs often associated with heat-related illnesses. The Governor's action will not save the state any money and could, in fact, significantly increase preventable public health costs.

Over 171,000 Illinois households rely on LIHEAP to provide them with adequate levels of heating and cooling. On average, there are over 600 heat-related deaths each year in the United States, with the highest percentage of deaths occurring among those older than 65 years. Cook County saw 18 deaths as recently as 2012.

Illinois' Emergency Assistance Act requires the moneys from this fund to pay for electric or gas services on behalf of consumers (i.e. low-income individuals over age 65, people with disabilities and children under age 5) eligible for this program. The Act does not allow for any other use of the funds - which are collected by electric and gas public utilities from their ratepayers or through allowable donations outlined in the Act.

Before endangering the lives and well-being of our most vulnerable citizens during the extremes of Illinois' summer and winter weather we strongly advise the Governor to reconsider the moral and legal ramifications of his decision."

SOURCE AARP Illinois