* Illinois PIRG…

Today, the Illinois Commerce Commission passed several emergency orders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including placing moratoriums on utility disconnections as well as on in-person solicitation by alternative retail electric and gas suppliers.

The Commission further opened an inquiry into energy affordability and ordered Peoples Gas to submit a formal response to the recently published engineering study of its distribution system, a study criticized by Illinois PIRG Education Fund for ignoring tough questions facing the troubled Peoples Gas pipe replacement program.

Illinois PIRG Education Fund Director Abe Scarr released the following statement in response:

Thank you Chairperson Zalewski and the Illinois Commerce Commission for taking swift action to protect the public health of Illinois residents by placing moratoriums on utility disconnections and on in-person alternative retail energy supply solicitation.

It’s critical that everyone stay home as much as possible to slow the spread of Covid-19. For many, this means a challenging combination of lost income and higher utility bills. No one should lose essential utility service during a pandemic and be forced from home to stay warm, cook, or power electronics.

We applaud the Commission’s order requiring a formal response from Peoples Gas to its recently published engineering study, a study which did not include critical considerations such as logistical challenges and costs to customers. This action presents an opportunity for the Commission to fulfil its regulatory responsibility and reform the poorly designed, mismanaged Peoples Gas pipe replacement program.

* Mayor Lightfoot…

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced that the City of Chicago will be temporarily suspending debt collection practices and non-safety related citations and impounds, as well as penalties for late payment. This penalty relief package directs a temporary suspension of late fees and defaults on payment plans, including city tickets, utility bills, parking and red-light citations, booting and other non-public safety relates violations. Additionally, there will be no new interest accumulated on current compliance plans.

These measures represent the first steps of the administration’s efforts to help reduce the financial impact of COVID-19 on city residents and take effect immediately today through April 30, 2020.

“This is a common sense way that we can help mitigate the burdens and pressures many are feeling. We know that these practices disproportionately impact the residents that are most in need during this crisis,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “We realize that many of our residents are strapped for cash right now as the effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus has created difficult economic circumstances for those who are unable to work. We don’t want to further impact people who can’t afford to pay these penalties today and want to provide some breathing room to help them prioritize how to address their financial obligations.”

Today’s hold harmless announcement also includes the temporary suspension of payment plan defaults and non-safety impounds and an extended deadline for city debt checks on transportation network provider and taxi drivers. Other financial relief efforts include:

Ticket Issuance
Enforcement will be prioritized for safety-related violations.
Enforcement on compliance-related violations will be suspended until April 30, 2020

Parking, Red Light, Speed Camera Violation Collections

Delay assessment of penalty (ticket doubling) until after April 30, 2020
Delay driver’s license suspension until after April 30, 2020
No Booting until after April 30, 2020
Delay referral of tickets to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
No defaults of payment plans for until after April 30, 2020

Utility Bills

Extend due dates until after April 30, 2020 delaying assessment of penalties
Delay referrals to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
No defaults of payment plans until after April 30, 2020

Administrative Hearing Collections

Extend due dates until after April 30, 2020 (this will delay assessment of interest)
Delay referrals to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
No defaults of payment plans until after April 30, 2020

Other Collection Efforts

Extend deadline for TNP and taxi drivers to pay debt to April 30
No debt holds on new licenses or permits

Law firms and collection agencies will cease collection efforts.

In recent days, several other City government operations have moved into reduced hours or full closure, including: City Hall, Administrative Hearings, Navy Pier and Chicago Public Schools. However, Mayor Lightfoot’s administration remains committed to ensuring all vital services and supports will remain in place for residents during this time. Given the rapidly evolving nature of this situation, the City is working diligently to provide timely and transparent updates on changes that pertain to all Chicagoans.