McHenry Times

State Representative Joe Sosnowski addressed the issue of utility disconnection during the winter months in a Facebook post dated December 4. He said, "Vulnerable households may not be disconnected from their utilities during cold months, thanks to Illinois' winter weather rule in effect until March 31st."

"Vulnerable households may not be disconnected from their utilities during cold months, thanks to Illinois' winter weather rule in effect until March 31st," said Sosnowski, according to Facebook.

According to Sosnowski's post, he shared a report from radio station 97.7 WRAM, which announced that Illinois’ Winter Weather Rule is currently in effect. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) chair Doug Scott spoke to the station about the implications of this rule for residents of Illinois.

Screenshot of State Rep. Joe Sosnowski's Dec. 4 Facebook post | State Representative Joe Sosnowski's Facebook page

"Frigid winters are a given in Illinois. The state’s winter weather rule offers peace-of-mind for individuals and families who might otherwise be struggling to stay warm during the coldest months of the year," Scott said.

The ICC is responsible for ensuring that utility services provided by electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and sewer public utility companies are adequate, reliable, efficient, and safe at the lowest possible cost to citizens of Illinois.

The Winter Weather Rule stipulates that no electric or gas public utility shall disconnect service to any residential customer or master-metered apartment building for nonpayment where gas or electricity is used as the primary source of space heating equipment at the premises during December 1 through March 31 of the following year. This is according to the Administrative Code related to winter disconnection of residential heating services.

If a utility has offered a winter deferred payment arrangement (DPA) and information about assistance for utility bills but the customer has not entered into such an arrangement, they must notify an adult resident that they are subject to disconnection for nonpayment. Customers can still enter a deferred payment program to avoid disconnection. Only after allowing time for entering into a DPA or exploring available assistance may a public utility pursue disconnection, as per the state's administrative code.

Sosnowski has been representing Illinois since his election to the General Assembly in 2010. He represents the 69th District and began his political career on the DeKalb City Council before moving to Rockford where he served as First Ward Alderman from 2005-2010. He graduated from Northern Illinois University.