DeKalb Times

State Sen. Brian Stewart (R-Dixon) is letting his constituents know about the state’s new $42 million water assistance program.

“On Dec. 7, the state of Illinois launched the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) with $42 million available to help residents unable to pay their water and sewer bills,” Stewart wrote in a recent Senate in Review post to his website. “To be eligible, Illinois families must demonstrate that they are within 200 percent of the federal poverty line.”

Stemming from a partnership between the Pritzker administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the program is designed to use funds from the federal ARPA to help cash-strapped families across the state with energy assistance and other essential services.

Adding to the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, the state’s fiscal year 2022 (FY 22) budget approves an expansion of those programs for eligible Illinois residents seeking assistance in covering costs ranging from utility bills to rent to temporary shelter to food and other household necessities.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois is leading the nation in programs to help families in financial trouble.

“I came into the governor’s office with a promise to rebuild and revitalize Illinois’ human services sector, which has been decimated, frankly, under my predecessor’s budget crisis,” he told the Chicago Sun-Times. “While the need is still great, I’m very proud that Illinois is a national leader in helping people stay in their homes during this health emergency.”

Those eligible for the program include those facing disconnection and homes that have already had their services cut off or a past due balance over $250 combined for their water and wastewater services.

The governor also recently announced that the state has made available another $300 million pool of funds for rental assistance and urged residents needing help with those payments to visit the Illinois families’ site for more information.

For the water assistance program, Stewart said interested parties can visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website helpillinoisfamilies.com for more information.