State Representative La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, is working with Community & Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) President Harold Rice and Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan to prepare and pass an appropriations bill to restore funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program. Due to the Illinois budget veto by Governor Rauner, many federally funded programs, including LIHEAP, cannot continue those services to communities in need. This comes at a time when Chicago is going through a heat wave, and many will see their upcoming energy bills go beyond their ability to pay.

The federally funded LIHEAP program helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs in winter or in summer, including home energy bills, energy crises and weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs. LIHEAP is one of many programs CEDA offers to assist low-income residents of Cook County. For more information, contact one of Ford’s constituent service offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673, 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902 or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962, or visit www.lashawnford.com.