New Law Will Increase Transparency for Utility Customers
Illinois consumers will soon have a clearer understanding of the fees and surcharges included on their monthly electric utility bills thanks to legislation that was recently signed into law.
House Bill 5524, which I was happy to support, requires the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) to compile information on electric utility fees and surcharges and make that information publicly available in a clear and accessible format.
Under the new law, information regarding charges collected through electric utility bills will be reported, including identifying which amounts are remitted to the state and which amounts are retained by utilities. The goal is to provide consumers with greater transparency regarding how their utility bills are structured and where their money is going.
Utility bills have become increasingly complex, making it difficult for consumers to understand the various fees and charges included in their monthly costs. Providing clear and accessible information will help Illinois residents make more informed decisions and better understand how their energy dollars are being spent.
House Bill 5524 received unanimous support in both chambers of the General Assembly before being signed into law by the Governor.
New Law Expands Insurance Coverage for Ovarian Cancer Screenings
A new law signed July 10 expands insurance coverage for certain ovarian cancer screening tests. I was proud to support this measure.
House Bill 4203 amends the Illinois Insurance Code to broaden the types of ovarian cancer screenings covered for individuals considered at risk of developing the disease. Current Illinois law requires coverage for certain ovarian cancer surveillance tests for individuals considered at risk.
The legislation broadens the definition of individuals considered at risk for ovarian cancer and expands coverage to include medically viable detection and diagnostic methods, including imaging and blood test screenings.
The new law takes effect on January 1, 2028.
SBA Disaster Loans Available Following June Storms
Residents, businesses, and eligible nonprofit organizations in several northern Illinois counties can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans following the severe storms and tornadoes that struck the region in June.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for Bureau, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, La Salle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McHenry, Putnam, Will, and Woodford counties in Illinois, along with Lake County, Indiana.
The disaster declaration makes low-interest loans available to help individuals and businesses recover from storm-related damage. Homeowners may borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace a damaged primary residence, while homeowners and renters may qualify for up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property, including furniture, appliances, clothing, and vehicles. Businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair damaged property or address disaster-related economic losses.
Residents and business owners who sustained damage from the June storms are encouraged to explore their eligibility and apply for assistance. For more information or to submit an application, visit sba.gov/disaster, call the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Pair of ICASH Events Coming to McHenry, Fox Lake
We have had great turnouts for outreach events this summer, and I have a comprehensive list of events still to come. Next up is a pair of ICASH/Unclaimed Property events scheduled for the end of July, with the first one coming this week on Wednesday, July 22:
- July 22: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in McHenry
- July 28: ICASH/Unclaimed Property in Fox Lake
- August 6: Barks & Brews Pet Adoption in Woodstock
- August 8: Document Shredding and Food Collection in Woodstock
- August 13: Property Tax Exemptions Seminar in McHenry
- August 25: IPASS on Demand Sticker Event in Lindenhurst
- September 10: IPASS on Demand Sticker Event in Woodstock
- October 14: Senior Fair in Crystal Lake
- October 25: Veterans Appreciation Luncheon in Lake Zurich
You can learn more about these events on the Events page of my website or by contacting Abby from my events staff at amccarthy@sgop.ilga.gov.
ComEd Extends Deadline for Small-Medium Business Customer Relief Fund
ComEd has extended the application period for its Customer Relief Fund for small and medium-sized businesses with overdue balances. The program offers qualifying businesses one-time matching grants up to $500 to help offset past-due bill balances and improve financial stability.
To receive a bill credit, business customers must first apply and then make a payment toward their past-due balance. ComEd will match the pre-approved amount, up to $500, while funds are available. Customers are still responsible for any remaining balance, and normal collection activity will continue.
The fund is available to eligible small- and medium-sized business (under 500 kW) customers who are behind on electric bill payments. To be eligible, businesses must:
- Be active at the time of application
- Have a past-due bill balance
- Have no unpaid tampering fees and no bankruptcy
- Have a commercial Meter Account
Home-based businesses and Non-Profit organizations are ineligible for this specific program. Click here to learn more about the program, and click here to access the application.