City Issues Reminder: Moratorium On Utility Shut-Offs Emergency Repair Program

Press release from the City of Peoria:

Opt-In Utility Shutoff Moratorium

The economic impact of COVID-19 has left many households struggling to keep up with utility bills. Ameren Illinois, Illinois American Water, and the Greater Peoria Sanitary District (GPSD) have extended an opt-in moratorium on utility shut offs through March 31, 2021.

To qualify, customers must call the utility before the utility is disconnected and request a moratorium.

For more information, please contact your utility provider or visit their website.

Ameren Illinois: 1-800-755-5000, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, M-F https://www.ameren.com/illinois/residential/energy-assistance/recovery

Illinois American Water: 1-800-422-2782, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, M-F https://www.amwater.com/ilaw/customer-service-billing/customer-assistance-program

Greater Peoria Sanitary District: 309-272-4804, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, M-F

https://gpsd.dst.il.us/paying-gpsd-invoice-payment-options/

For additional information on resources that may be available, residents are recommended to contact 211.

Adequate Heat for Tenants

The code of the city of Peoria requires that owners and operators of any residential unit supply sufficient heat to maintain the room temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the hours of 8:30 AM – 10:30 PM each day and no less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit during other hours.

If someone is renting a property that does not have adequate heat as described above, they should first notify their landlord of this responsibility immediately. It is important to have this conversation now with your landlord in preparation for the winter months. If they are unwilling to make corrections in a reasonable time frame, please contact the city of Peoria at 309.494-2273.

Cooking appliances should not be used, nor should portable unvented fuel-burning space heaters used, as a means to provide adequate heating. These can pose serious safety risks. For more information on Code Enforcement and Community Development, please visit our website at AppreciatePeoria.com.

Emergency Repair Program for Homeowners

The city of Peoria offers an Emergency Repair Program for homeowners with faulty heating facilities. To qualify for this program, homeowners must provide homeowners insurance, pass income qualifications, be up to date on property taxes, not owe any money (in the form of fees or fines) to the city, and they must be up to date on their mortgage. For inquiries regarding the Emergency Repair Program, please visit AppreciatePeoria.com or contact the Grants Division at grants@peoriagov.org or 309-494-8600. For more information on resources available in the Peoria area, please call Heart of Illinois 211 by dialing 2-1-1.

On November 23, 2020 / General Events & Announcements, Main Page/Facebook/Twitter

This press release was produced by the City of Peoria. The views expressed here are the author’s own.