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Wednesday, June 3, 2015

ACTION ALERT! SAVE Illinois Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP, Gov Rauners Budget CUTS

Please take a minute to support Energy Assistance Programs in Illinois. Gov. Rauner has proposed slashing funding for this important program. The Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI) has stepped up, and is organizing efforts for the citizens of Illinois to take action and voice your concerns.

The following information is shared from CCDI:

We are deeply concerned with Governor Rauner’s FY 2016 budget proposal to sweep the State LIHEAP Supplemental Fund and repurpose those funds for the General Revenue Fund.  We believe the proposed depletion of these funds will negatively affect Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens including families with low incomes, senior citizens, households with children, and persons with disabilities.  These Illinois residents will be exposed to extreme weather conditions without adequate support from the state LIHEAP funds.

Hundreds of thousands of households desperately need utility assistance in these trying times. As the Illinois General Assembly deliberates over the FY 2016 budget and works with Governor Rauner to address any deficits in budget, we ask that decisions on the budget should not be made on the backs of Illinois’ most vulnerable residents. Sweeping the State LIHEAP Supplemental Funds would be detrimental to the welfare of the individuals and families throughout Illinois who so critically depend on state LIHEAP funds to heat and cool their homes sometimes during extremely harsh temperatures.  

...and so begins the letter you can personalize or leave the way it is before sending it to YOUR own representatives with just one click on the link below -

If you would prefer to make phone calls to your representaives, there are a few templates as well that can be great tools in expressing the general consensus -

Rep/Senator
My name is ______________ and I am a resident of ____________. I am appealing to you to save LIHEAP because without it I would not afford my utilities. Without my utilities I will struggle to make it through the summer's heat and the winter's cold. Without LIHEAP I will have nowhere else to go for utility assistance. Save LIHEAP so that I can afford to stay in my home. Save LIHEAP so that I can be safe in my own home and live with dignity. I would ask you to remember me when you decide on funding for LIHEAP. Thank you.

OR FOR Local Administrating Agencies and their employees -

Rep/Senator

My name is ______________ and I am a resident of ____________. I work for the Community Action Agency that operates LIHEAP in_____________. I am appealing to you to save LHEAP because without it our low income clients would not afford their utilities. Without their utilities they will struggle to make it through the summer's heat and the winter's cold. Without LIHEAP they will have nowhere else to go for utility assistance. Save LIHEAP so that our most vulnerable clients can afford to stay in their homes. Save LIHEAP so that they can be safe in their own homes and live with dignity. Save LIHEAP because federal funding is not adequate to serve the eligible households. Our agency has been out of LIHEAP funds since ___________ (if this is true). Thank you. 
Together we can make a difference and get our message out there!

If you have any questions or we could be assistance in any way, do not hesitate to contact The Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois @ 800.433.8848

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