Press Release - Sunday, November 27, 2005
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Gov. Blagojevich to Make Over 120 State Facilities Available as Warming Centers to Help Illinoisans Stay Warm, Lower Heating Bills
CHICAGO - As part of his Keep Warm Illinois campaign, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that he will make 122 state facilities available as Warming Centers starting December 1, 2005. The Warming Centers will provide Illinoisans a place to stay warm and comfortable if they turn down their thermostats during the day to lower their heating bills. Gov. Blagojevich will also send a letter tomorrow to all 1,116 mayors in the Illinois Municipal League asking them to assist in this important effort by identifying suitable buildings that can serve as additional Warming Centers in their communities.
"With heating costs expected to climb this winter, Illinois residents - especially our seniors and low income families - will be hit hard in the pocketbook. That's why we're giving people a safe place to go, so they can turn down their thermostats at home during the day to help conserve energy and lower their heating bills. I thank the Illinois Municipal League for joining me in this important effort," said Gov. Blagojevich.
"With potential high heating costs over the coming heating season, local officials and community organizations should be prepared to assist those in need," said Illinois Municipal League executive director Ken Alderson.
In his letter to the Municipal League members, Gov. Blagojevich urged mayors to reach out to local service agencies, community centers, churches, schools, libraries, hospitals and other organizations to ask that their facilities be made available to local residents this winter.
"While we do not know how many people will need warming centers, we must be prepared so that no one risks their health and safety while trying to cut back on heating costs this winter," Gov. Blagojevich said in the letter.
As part of the Governor's Keep Warm Illinois campaign, the Department of Human Services (DHS) will open their 116 local offices statewide to the public and the Illinois Tollway will make the six Tollway oases in northern Illinois available as warming centers. State officials are encouraging Illinoisans to use these warming centers to help lower their heating bills. Homeowners can save approximately 3 percent on their energy costs for every degree the thermostat is lowered, although they should be no lower than 55 degrees.
Last month, Gov Blagojevich launched the Keep Warm Illinois campaign, a multi-agency, comprehensive effort to help families reduce their heating bills by conserving energy and weatherizing their homes, and offering warming centers throughout the state. The list of warming centers locations is available at the Keep Warm Illinois website (www.keepwarm.illinois.gov) or at the Keep Warm Illinois hotline (1-877-411-WARM).
Warming centers will be located at DHS facilities and will be open during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.
"The warming centers will be an excellent place for Illinois families to stay safe and warm this winter," said DHS Secretary Carol L. Adams, Ph.D. "People who want to lower their thermostats during the day in order to save costs on their utilities are encouraged to take advantage of the warming centers."
The Keep Warm Illinois website (www.keepwarm.illinois.gov) also offers various no-cost and low-cost energy saving tips, a web-based tool to conduct a home energy audit, links to energy assistance programs and other resources. In addition, the Keep Warm Illinois hotline (1-877-411-WARM) is another resource for Illinois residents to learn how to save energy and get energy assistance.
Gov. Blagojevich's comprehensive Keep Warm Illinois campaign also includes:
Energy Savings Workshops. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is partnering with community colleges across the state to hold workshops that offer important information on how people can improve the efficiency of their homes. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is organizing community workshops statewide through community-based organizations and local governments. At these workshops, Illinois residents will have access to information from energy conservation experts on how to reduce overall energy costs.
Winter Assistance Days. Joining forces with over 20 state and local leaders and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Gov. Blagojevich coordinated a series of Winter Assistance Events scheduled across the state throughout the cold season to offer members of low-income households the opportunity to apply for Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grants, receive free weatherization kits and learn important information on several state healthcare programs. November 1st marked the start of the open enrollment period for low-income families eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) coordinated by the apply for grants that will help them afford their high gas bills this winter.
Illinois Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has grants available to non-profit housing developers that include energy efficient building practices in the rehab or construction of affordable housing units. These building practices often bring energy savings between 50% and 75%.
Winter Storm Preparation. Illinois experiences five severe winter storms each year, on average. Nearly 80 people in the United States die from winter storms and extreme cold every year, which is more than the fatalities due to tornadoes. The hazards posed by winter storms and extreme cold can be catastrophic. So, the Department of Emergency Management will offer a Winter Storm Preparation manual that includes important information on actions to take now that will increase resident's chances of surviving winter storms and extreme cold.
Keep Warm Illinois Leadership Summit. The Governor has called upon statewide leaders from the consumer advocacy, social service, business, and philanthropic communities to meet at a Keep Warm Illinois scheduled for November 30th. This group's charge will be to recommend ways in which the private sector should join with government to help everyone in Illinois conserve energy and stay warm and safe this winter
Office of Emergency Energy Assistance. Last month, the Governor appointed a Special Director of Emergency Energy Assistance to marshal resources from the public and private sectors and to coordinate assistance to vulnerable populations impacted by record-high heating costs. The Special Director will work with utilities, the ICC and other state agencies to ensure the public's best interest is protected. Gov. Blagojevich was able to successfully negotiate with the Illinois utility companies to have them waive administrative re-connection fees and security deposits for LIHEAP customers, so grant funds can go directly toward covering actual usage charges, allowing the state to help more households cover heating costs.
Gov. Blagojevich also called upon Illinois utility companies to waive reconnection fees and security deposits for customers who are receiving energy assistance from the state. Ameren, Nicor, Peoples Energy and Commonwealth Edison now agree that these additional charges should not prevent these customers from getting their home energy service restored. This agreement is helping the state's energy assistance resources go farther so that as many families as possible who've lost utility service can get it restored in time for winter. The Governor also called upon President Bush and Congressional leaders to approve additional federal funding for energy assistance programs that help low-income families pay their utility bills.
Keep Warm Illinois Warming Centers
Office |
Address |
Chicago - Austin |
408 North Laramie Avenue |
Chicago - Calumet Park |
831 West 119th Street |
Chicago - Englewood |
5323 South Western Avenue |
Chicago - Garfield |
500 North Pulaski Road |
Chicago - Humboldt Park |
2753 West North Avenue |
Chicago - Lower North |
2650 West Fulton Street |
Chicago - Michigan |
70 East 21st Street |
Chicago - Northwest |
4105 West Chicago Avenue |
Chicago - Oakland |
610 West Root Street |
Chicago - Park Manor |
1642 West 59th Street |
Chicago - Western |
3910 West Ogden |
Chicago - Wicker Park |
1279 North Milwaukee |
Chicago - Woodlawn |
915 East 63rd Street |
Melrose Park - West Suburban |
2701 West Lake Street |
Skokie - Northern |
8020 St. Louis Avenue |
Adams County, Quincy |
300 Maine Street |
Alexander County, Cairo |
1401 Washington Avenue |
Boone County, Belvidere |
2090 Pearl Street |
Bureau County, Princeton |
225 Backbone Road |
Calhoun County, Hardin |
807 West Main Street |
Carroll County, Mt. Carroll |
820 South Mill Road |
Cass County, Beardstown |
300 East Second Street |
Champaign County, Champaign |
801 North Walnut Street |
Christian County, Taylorville |
1100 North Cheney |
Clark County, Marshall |
315 South 14th Street |
Clay County, Louisville |
850 Bryant Street |
Clinton County, Carlyle |
1130 12th Street |
Coles County, Charleston |
119 West State Street |
Crawford County, Robinson |
1110 North Allen Street |
Cumberland County, Toledo |
200 South Indiana |
Dekalb County, Dekalb |
1629 Afton Road |
Dewitt County, Clinton |
1275 Route 54 East |
Douglas County, Tuscola |
207 East Ficklin |
DuPage County, Villa Park |
146 W. Roosevelt Road |
Edgar County, Paris |
11773 Illinois Highway 1 |
Effingham County, Effingham |
925 East Fayette Avenue |
Fayette County, Vandalia |
228 West Johnson Street |
Ford County, Paxton |
1500 West Ottawa Road |
Franklin County, Benton |
1602 North Main Street |
Fulton County, Lewiston |
1329 North Main Street |
Gallatin County, Shawneetown |
9525 Gold Hill Road |
Greene County, Carrollton |
145 Walnut Street |
Hancock County, Carthage |
2005 East U.S. Hwy 136 |
Henry County, Kewanee |
125 West South Street |
Iroquois County, Watseka |
806 East Walnut Street |
Jefferson County, Mt. Vernon |
333 Potomac Boulevard |
Jersey County, Jerseyville |
110 North Jefferson Street |
JoDaviess County, Galena |
708 South West Street |
Kane County, Aurora |
361 Old Indian Trail |
Kane County, Elgin |
600 South State Street |
Kankakee County, Kankakee |
285 N. Schuyler Avenue |
Kendall County, Yorkville |
1304 Game Farm Road |
Knox County, Galesburg |
477 East Main Street |
Lake County, Park City |
3235 West Belvidere |
LaSalle County, Ottawa |
700 Centennial Drive |
Lawrence County, Lawrenceville |
R.R. 1, Box 418 |
Livingston County, Pontiac |
905 Custer Avenue |
Logan County, Lincoln |
1550 4th Street |
Macon County, Decatur |
707 East Wood St. |
Macoupin County, Carlinville |
340 East Wilson |
Madison County, East Alton |
608 West St. Louis Avenue |
Madison County, Granite City |
1925 Madison Avenue |
Marion County, Centralia |
800 South Locust Street |
Marshall,County Henry |
511 School Street |
Mason County, Havanna |
323 West Main Street |
Massac County, Metroplis |
2301 Metropolis Street |
McDonough County, Macomb |
1026 East Jackson Street |
McHenry County, Woodstock |
2215 Lake Shore Drive |
McLean County, Bloomington |
501 West Washington |
Mercer County, Aledo |
601 S. E. 19th Avenue |
Montgomery County, Hillsboro |
210 East Fairground Avenue |
Morgan County, Jacksonville |
45-47 South Central Park Plaza |
Moultrie County, Sullivan |
625 South Hamilton Street |
Ogle County, Oregon |
106 North Second Street |
Peoria County, Peoria |
2301 N.E. Adams Street |
Perry County, DuQuoin |
314 North Maple Street |
Piatt County, Monticello |
1200 Bear Lane |
Pike Count, Pittsfield |
201 N. Mississippi |
Pope County, Golconda |
106 North Market Street |
Pulaski County, Mounds |
422 South Blanche Street |
Randolph Street, Chester |
870 Lehmen Drive |
Richland County, Olney |
1406 Martin Street |
Rock Island County, Rock Island |
2821 Fifth Street |
Saline County, Harrisburg |
320 East Raymond Street |
Sangamon County, Springfield |
100 South Martin Luther King Drive |
Schuyler County, Rushville |
111 East Washington Street |
Shelby County, Shelbyville |
610 West Main Street |
St. Clair County, Belleville |
1220 Centreville Avenue |
St. Clair County, St. Louis |
225 North 9th Street |
Stark County, Toulon |
213 West Main Street |
Stephenson County, Freeport |
1631 South Galena Avenue |
Tazewell County, Pekin |
200 South Second Street |
Vermilion County, Danville |
220 South Bowman Avenue |
Wabash County, Mt. Carmel |
229 West 2nd Street |
Warren County, Monmouth |
1245 South Main Street |
White County, Carmi |
1112 Oak Street |
Whiteside County, Sterling |
2605 Woodlawn Road |
Will County, Joliet |
45 E. Webster Street |
Williamson County, Marion |
1107 West DeYoung |
Winnebago County, Rockford |
1111 North Avon Street |
Woodford County, Eureka |
107 North Major Street |
|
|
Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education (ICRE) Wood - District office, Chicago |
1151 S Wood St |
Chicago Heights |
1010 Dixie Highway, 4th Floor |
Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago |
1279 N Milwaukee Ave |
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago |
10 W 35th St, 4th Floor |
Ford City |
7600 S Pulaski Rd |
Rockford HSP |
420 Financial Court |
Joliet |
1617 W Jefferson St |
Downers Grove |
2901 Finley Road, Suite 109 |
Waukegan |
2740 W Grand Ave |
Aurora |
888 S Edgelawn Dr, Suite 1771 |
Champaign |
1307 N Mattis Avenue |
E. St. Louis |
601 James R Thompson Blvd, Building E |
Riverbend |
606 W St Louis Ave |
Mt. Vernon |
333 Potomac Blvd, Suite F |
Anna |
1000 N Main St, PO Box 585 |
Springfield-North Walnut office |
1124 N Walnut St |
|
|
Belvidere Oasis |
2510 Pearl Street |
De Kalb Oasis |
2700 N. Crego Road |
Des Plaines Oasis |
1960 S. Mount Prospect Road |
Hinsdale Oasis |
5800 Tri-State Toll Rd |
Lake Forest Oasis |
13783 West Oasis Service Rd |
Lincoln Oasis, South Holland |
700 E. Tri State |
O'Hare Oasis, Schiller Park |
10201 Belle Plaine Avenue |
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