ICC reaches consumer protection agreement with utilities to avoid disconnections for customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) announced last week that it had reached a consumer protection agreement with regulated utilities to mitigate outstanding consumer debt and prevent disconnections.

The agreement was made before the utility’s voluntary winter moratorium on disconnections expires on March 31, 2021. That moratorium had been meant to help those hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain service during some of the hardest months of the year, regardless of debt. Under this new agreement, struggling consumers will be able to call their utilities to get benefits to overcome some of that debt and prevent disconnection.

“The past year has been extremely difficult for everyone, and it has been especially hard for low-income residents and those who lost jobs due to the public health crisis. The financial toll has been devastating,” ICC Chair Carrie Zalewski said. “Since the public health crisis started, the ICC has been very aggressive in making sure residents have access to critical utility services while putting into place protective measures to help them afford their utility bills as the state begins to recover. The agreements we approved today will go far in helping customers to minimize arrearages and stay connected, but customers need to be proactive and call their utility for help.”

While utilities will be able to send disconnection notices on a staggered basis, as of April 1, 2021, these notices will have to also notify customers of their potential eligibility for deferred payment arrangements that could prevent disconnection. Utilities will also waive reconnection fees for low-income customers through June 30, 2021, and reconnect those whose income is 300 percent or less of the federal poverty level based upon payment of 25 percent of the outstanding balance through July 10, 2021.

Other terms include at least 18-month deferred payment arrangements for residential customers that have not been disconnected, waiving of late payment fees and deposits for low-income customers, continuation of existing utility Bill Payment Assistance Programs through 2021, and recoverability of COVID-19 related costs incurred by utilities implementing this stipulation.

Utility signatories of the agreement include Ameren Illinois Company, Commonwealth Edison, Northern Illinois Gas Company, North Shore Gas Company, The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company, Aqua Illinois, Illinois-American Water Company, and Utility Services of Illinois.