Protesters Want LIHEAP Funding For Air Conditioning
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The heat was not as oppressive Wednesday as it has been for much of the past few weeks. Nonetheless, protesters were out in front of the Thompson Center, seeking monetary relief from the heat.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports, the protesters said that if the weather of the past few weeks does not constitute an emergency, they don't know what does.
Activist Curly Cohen, who organized the protest, wants a state and presidential disaster declaration, and wants millions of dollars in assistance to be funneled to low-income Illinoisans so that they can afford to run their air conditioners.
He also wants ComEd and other power suppliers to reconnect those whose service has been disconnected for non-payment.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports
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Cohen said the temperature in some apartments disconnected for non-payment has reached 120 degrees Farenheit, and said that is "unacceptable and unbearable."
But he said the first step must be taken locally, and said he sees no evidence that it will be done.
"The governor and the mayor haven't lifted one finger and haven't called to say stop the shutoffs and restore those who need it," he said.
Cohen said another source of funding to help those struggling with air conditioning bills could be the state's low-income heating assistance program (LIHEAP), which had money left over when the winter heating season ended. He said there is plenty of precedent for using leftover LIHEAP money to assist low-income Illinoisans with summer power bills, but he said nothing is being done this summer.
WBBM is attempting to obtain comment from the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which administers the LiHEAP program.
