Sec. 8-201.8. Prohibition on late payment fees for low-income residential customers or applicants.

230 words·~1 min read·/il/chapter-220/act-5/8-201-8

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(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, an electric utility shall not charge a low-income residential customer or applicant a fee, charge, or penalty for late payment of any utility bill or invoice. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, as of January 1, 2023, a natural gas utility shall not charge a low-income residential customer or applicant a fee, charge, or penalty for late payment of any utility bill or invoice.

(b)As used in this Section, "low-income residential customer or applicant" means:

(i)a member of a household at or below 80% of the latest median household income as reported by the United States Census Bureau for the most applicable community or county;

(ii)a member of a household at or below 150% of the federal poverty level;

(iii)a person who is eligible for the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act;

(iv)a person who is eligible to participate in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP or PIP Plan) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; or

(v)a person who is eligible to receive Lifeline service as defined in the Universal Service Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985.