11.12.24

Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $192 Million To Help Illinois Families Save On Home Energy Bills

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $192,607,773 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help Illinoisans afford the rising cost of home heating bills this winter. This announcement includes funding appropriated from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Durbin and Duckworth both supported.

“In the face of increasing costs that are weighing down hardworking American families, the last thing they should have to worry about is how to pay their utility bills as we approach the colder months,” said Durbin. “By providing much-needed relief, LIHEAP will bring not only warmth, but peace of mind to the countless Illinoisans who rely on it.”

“Illinois families shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they can afford to pay the utility bills during the upcoming cold months,” Duckworth said.“I'm proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing this federal support to help more working families keep their heat on and necessary utilities paid as we enter the winter season. I’ll keep working to ensure that all Illinoisans are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”

LIHEAP helps low-income households pay home heating and cooling bills, prevent energy shutoffs, restore services, make minor energy-related home repairs, and weatherize homes to make them more energy efficient. Durbin and Duckworth have long advocated for LIHEAP, having previously helped to secure more than $176 million in LIHEAP benefits for Illinois in Fiscal Year 2024.

-30-