Attorney General reminds Illinoisans of new law preventing utilities from turning off power on hot days

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — As temperatures escalate in August, the Illinois Attorney General is reminding residents of a new law that requires air conditioning to stay on, even for residents who can’t pay their utility payment.

The law, which went into effect Jan 1, prevents utility companies from disconnecting customers on days where temperatures are at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or if the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat watch, heat advisory or excessive heat warning.

The previous law did not factor in the heat index, which Raoul argued the law did not protect the most vulnerable residents, including children, seniors and people with chronic conditions.

“I want to remind Illinois’ most vulnerable residents that this law protects their health and safety during extreme heat by prohibiting utilities from disconnecting electric and gas service for nonpayment when we face dangerously high humidity or extreme temperatures,” Raoul said in a news release. “Illinois summers are not the time to put lives at risk by disconnecting critical utility services when they are relied upon most. No one should lose their life due to heat.”

In 2023, between May to early July there were eight days with high temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Compliance reports from two utility companies in Illinois showed there were more than 150,0000 residential customers whose power was disconnected for non-payment between June and September 2022.

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