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December 10, 2002
NAPERVILLE, Ill.--Nicor Gas wants to help customers in need restore their natural gas service. In light of the state of Illinois' newly appropriated $3.8 million for emergency reconnections for customers who qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Nicor Gas urges its customers who are without service for non-payment to call or go to a local LIHEAP Intake Agency to see if they qualify for bill payment assistance.
"Nicor wants to take the necessary steps to raise awareness about this assistance to ensure that those who are LIHEAP eligible get the help they need," said Chris Suppes, Nicor's Vice President of Sales and Customer Care. "Customers who think they may qualify must initiate the application process by contacting a designated LIHEAP Intake Agency. Our hope is that by promoting the fact that this resource is out there, more people will take steps to see if they qualify which could lead to receiving financial assistance. "
"I want to thank Nicor Gas for helping needy Illinoisans heat their homes during this winter season," said Governor George Ryan.
Nicor Gas customers who receive LIHEAP assistance need only pay one-third of their balance after their LIHEAP grant has been applied to have their natural gas service restored.
Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), LIHEAP helps eligible, low-income households pay for winter energy services. Income, household size, fuel type and geographic location determine the amount of payment assistance. In Illinois, DCCA offers benefits to persons earning up to 150 percent of the poverty level, which equates to household dollar amounts of $25,560 or less annually for a family of four, or $12,528 or less annually for an individual.
Customers interested in applying for LIHEAP funds must contact their local LIHEAP Intake Agency. Contact your nearest LIHEAP Intake Agency or call one of LIHEAP's energy information lines between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; Chicago residents can call 312 456-4100, Non-Chicago residents can call 1 800 252-8643, and the hearing impaired can call 1 800 785-6055.
Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so Nicor urges its customers, who may know of someone or think they themselves may be eligible, to act now.
About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor, Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas services for more than 45 years. The Company serves two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicor.com.
Addendum of LIHEAP Intake Agencies:
Central Illinois Economic Corp.
217 935-2455
County Served: Dewitt
Community and Economic Development
Association of Cook County, Inc.
312 441-8800
County Served: Cook
Community Contracts, Inc.
630 232-9530 (Kane)
815 758-3835 (DeKalb)
Counties Served: DeKalb and Kane
DuPage County Department of Human Resources
630 682-6839
County Served: DuPage
East Central Illinois Community Action Program
217 443-2705
Counties Served: Ford, Iroquois and Vermillion
Kankakee County Community Services, Inc.
815 933-7883
County Served: Kankakee
Kendall-Grundy Department of Community Services
708 553-9100 (Kendall)
815 941-3262 (Grundy)
Counties Served: Grundy and Kendall
Lake County Community Action
847 249-4330
County Served: Lake
McHenry County Housing Authority
815 338-7752
County Served: McHenry
Mid-Central Community Action, Inc.
309 829-0691 (Bloomington)
815 844-3201 (Livingston)
Counties Served: Livingston and McLean
Northwestern Illinois Community Action
815 232-3141
Counties Served: JoDaviess and Stephenson
Project NOW Community Action Agency
309 793-6391
Counties Served: Henry and Mercer
Rockford Human Services Department
815 987-5501
Counties Served: Boone and Winnebago
Tazewell Community Services
309 694-4391
Counties Served: Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford
Tri-County Opportunities Council
1 800 323-5434
Counties Served: Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside
Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials
217 224-8171
Counties Served: Adams and Pike
Urban League of Champaign County
217 356-1364
County Served: Champaign
Western Illinois Regional Council
309 837-2997
Counties Served: Hancock and Henderson
Will County Center for Community Concerns
815 722-0722
County Served: Will | 
