IL SB1603

Electric utilities may offer Commission-approved financial assistance programs for low-income customers, including flat grants, debt forgiveness, percentage of income payments, and energy efficiency measures.

Utilities must offer a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIP Plan) coordinated with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services using LIHEAP eligibility criteria, with payment amounts based on a percentage of income formula established jointly by the utility and Department.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall pay the portion of PIP Plan participants' bills not covered by participants; if the Department fails to pay, utilities may recover costs through an automatic adjustment clause tariff.

Utilities may recover all program costs up to $10 million annually through an automatic adjustment clause tariff, and may recover nonpayment costs when the Department fails to remit required payments without the $10 million cap.

Electric utilities are permitted to recover all uncollectibles through an automatic adjustment clause tariff established outside general rate cases, with utilities filing tariffs within 45 days and the Commission reviewing within 45 days; annual reconciliations shall adjust for differences between collected amounts and actual uncollectibles.