Help paying your electric bill in Illinois
Illinois got $199.8 million in the HHS table, about $40 for each of its 5,001,904 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 833-711-0374. Heating help reached 205,143 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Illinois
- Illinois LIHEAP public line833-711-0374
- State program siteliheapillinois.com
- Illinois Commerce Commission800-524-0795 · 217-782-2024 · icc.illinois.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Illinois
Illinois: cold weather by dates and temperature; hot weather by dates and temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | December 1 - March 31 |
| Cold temperature | 32°F and below |
| Hotter months, by date | Summer (no specific dates indicated) |
| Hot temperature | 95°F and above |
| Health or age needs | There are temporary protections for individuals with medical conditions. |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Disconnection of Service Code; Illinois Public Utilities Act.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.130 (Disconnection of Service), 280.135 (Winter Disconnection, Dec 1-Mar 31), 280.160 (Medical Certification), 280.230 (Commission Complaint Process). Illinois bars shutoffs of residential electric heat customers on days forecast at 32 F or below, and for nonpayment Dec 1-Mar 31 unless a winter payment plan is refused or missed. Larger utilities also cannot shut off on 95 F-plus days where power is the only cooling. A physician certificate gives 60 days. Notice must come 10 days ahead. Quote: “The utility shall not disconnect service until at least 10 days after the sending or delivery of the notice to the customer.”. Source: text of the rule (Wayback of Cornell LII (ilga.gov blocked)).
| Point | Illinois: 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.130 (Disconnection of Service), 280.135 (Winter Disconnection, Dec 1-Mar 31), 280.160 (Medical Certification), 280.230 (Commission Complaint Process) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | 280.130(n)(1): no termination of residential gas/electric service (where it is the only space heat source) on any day the NWS 24-hour forecast includes 32 F or below, or before a holiday/weekend with a forecast of 32 F or below. 280.135: no disconnection for nonpayment Dec 1 through Mar 31 where gas/electricity is the primary space heat unless the utility has offered a winter deferred payment arrangement (min. 4 months, max 10% down) and the customer refused/failed it, and notices were met. 280.130(o),(p),(r): flat Dec 1-Mar 31 bans for LIHEAP participants, space-heating customers of utilities with over 100,000 electric customers (2005), and service members/veterans who notify the utility. |
| Heat | 280.130(n)(2): where gas/electric is the only space-cooling source, a utility with over 100,000 residential customers may not terminate on any day the NWS 24-hour forecast is 95 F or above (or before a holiday/weekend with such a forecast). Smaller utilities not covered by this paragraph. |
| Who is protected | 280.160: physician or local board of health certificate (phone first, written within 7 days) protects the account from disconnection for 60 days; may be presented up to 14 days after disconnection (service restored within one day); medical payment arrangement of 12 installments (pre-disconnection) or 10 (after). Also military/veteran/LIHEAP winter bans in 280.130. |
| Notice | 280.130(e)-(g),(j): written notice sent separately by U.S. mail or hand delivered; no disconnection until at least 10 days after sending; notice effective 45 days; warning call at least 48 hours before (second call 24 hours before if no contact) for residential customers with a phone on record; 280.135(c) six business days after winter notification. Time limits: no disconnection after noon on Friday for residential unless same-day reconnection capability, etc. |
| Payment plan | 280.135: winter DPA of at least 4 months (not beyond the following November), down payment max 10% of past due, option of budget plan; 280.160(i) medical payment arrangement. Regular DPA rules in 280.120 (page fetched but not analysed). |
| Who the rule covers | Rule 280.130/135 text applies to 'electric or gas public utility' (regulated utilities). Hot-weather ban applies only to utilities with over 100,000 residential customers; 280.130(p) space-heating ban applies to utilities with more than 100,000 electric customers in Illinois at Dec 31, 2005. Section 280.10 exemptions (co-ops/munis) not read. |
| Complaints | 280.230: informal complaint to the ICC Consumer Services Division (phone, in person or writing); utility must answer within 14 days; utility may not disconnect over the disputed amount during an informal or formal complaint (safety exceptions). No phone number appears in the rule text read. |
Did not read 280.10 (exemptions), 280.120 in detail, 280.125, 280.170 reconnection, Appendices, or the Public Utilities Act sections themselves.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Illinois: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Illinois | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $199,837,523 = $175,676,862 + $4,373,200 IIJA + $19,787,461 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating: 60% State Median Income Crisis: 60% State Median Income (15+ households at 150% Federal Poverty Level) Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Level | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $58 minimum, $2,564 maximum Winter Crisis: $1,500 maximum Weatherization: $12,000 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 205,143 Crisis: 40,513 Weatherization: 2,984 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - August 15 Crisis: October 1 - August 15 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVIllinois in numbers
- Illinois ranks 20th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($40), 23rd on households below the poverty line (12.1%) and 27th on low-income energy burden (8.9%).
- Per household below the poverty line (605,458 of them) the FY26 funds come to $330, rank 22nd of 51: 22% of a typical year's electricity ($1,532). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 265,704 households got help in FY2022 against 1,416,652 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 19% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $940, 61% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - August 15. Counted FY2024: heating, crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $32 (Kentucky) to $46 (Wisconsin); low-income burden from 7.4% (Wisconsin) to 10.2% (Kentucky). Illinois: $40 and 8.9%.
Where Illinois's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Alexander County 19.3% (884 households); Clay County 14.6% (2,035 households); Pope County 13.8% (547 households); Pike County 13.7% (2,198 households).
- Most low-income households: Cook County 619,954 (9.1%); DuPage County 61,567 (7.6%); Lake County 53,372 (8.3%).
101 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Illinois?
Illinois sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $81,702.
How heavy is the energy bill in Illinois?
8.9% of income in low-income households, 2.4% overall. Ranking, Illinois prices.
| Group | Count | Illinois detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 1,416,652 households | 8.9% of income; $2,044 a year on $22,854 | rank 27 of 51 |
| All households | 4,951,867 households | 2.4%; $2,450 on $104,346 | rank 30 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 605,458 households | 12.1% of 5,001,904 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 23 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 17.69 ¢/kWh | bill $128 a month at 722 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Illinois
- and Energy Efficiency Effective 1998, the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (SLEAF) was authorized through electric utility restructuring legislation. The law directed gas and electric utilities to assess a monthly surcharge from...
- Annually, about 80 percent of the fund, $65 million, goes for low-income bill payment assistance, and 10 percent, about $7.6 million, supplements the state’s weatherization program. LIHEAP makes payments from the fund directly to...
- Percentage of Income Payment Plan Program is a benefit choice within the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that is available to customers of Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor Gas/People's Gas. The PIPP program enrolls people in a budget billing plan....
- Search By Utility Ameren Atmos Energy ComEd Mid-American Energy Nicor Gas North Shore Gas Peoples Gas Springfield City Water Light & Power Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Ameren, Atmos Energy, ComEd, Mid-American Energy, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and 3 more.
Illinois on the map
Next to Illinois
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin. Most FY26 funds per household: Wisconsin, $46. Illinois: $40. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Illinois
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Illinois Commerce Commission sets rules).
- Call 833-711-0374 or 211.
- Ask about dates and temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Illinois Commerce Commission, 800-524-0795.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
What income limit does Illinois use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $81,702; FY2022 heating standard 200% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Illinois?
Call 833-711-0374. Site: www.liheapillinois.com
Can Illinois utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates and temperature for cold; dates and temperature for heat. December 1 - March 31 32°F and below
How big is the energy burden in Illinois?
8.9% of income for low-income households, 2.4% for all; $2,044 a year for the first group.
How many Illinois households got energy help?
265,704 in FY2022, 205,143 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $940.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Illinois bill?
$330 per poor household, 22% of $1,532.
How much LIHEAP money does Illinois get?
$199.8 million in FY2026, $40 per household, rank 20 of 51.