Utilities To Be Shut Off For Tens Of Thousands
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Tens of thousands of families in the Chicagoland area will have their utilities shut off next week for lack of payment.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Mary Frances Bragiel reports, the South Austin Community Coalition is hoping an emergency summit with utility companies will change that outcome.
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On Monday afternoon, a group of volunteers blanketed the Austin neighborhood to alert residents to what some say is a state of emergency.
"We need help in the community, because we can't have lights shut off because of our families," said Shanita Henderson, a single mother.
Henderson has been unemployed for the past year, and is about to have her utilities shut off because of a lack of payment. She says she has tried to work with the companies without success.
"Trying to pay rent, light, gas, food – I don't have any assistance at this moment," Henderson said.
Officials with the South Austin Community Coalition say finding work is still a problem for many people. They're hoping affordable solutions can be implemented by the utility companies.
