New Legislation Seeks to Provide Relief to Middle-Class Illinoisans Struggling with Soaring Utility Bills

In response to the recent spike in electricity rates throughout the entire state, newly filed Senate Republican legislation seeks to provide much-needed relief for Illinois families struggling with rising utility bills.

Senate Bill 2687, also known as the Home Utility Relief Act, creates a Home Utility Rebate Program through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The program would provide rebates to households with incomes between 100% and 500% of the federal poverty guidelines. These are families who often earn too much to qualify for traditional low-income assistance programs but are still burdened by rapidly rising energy costs.

The measure establishes a $500 million Home Utility Rebate Relief Fund to be used in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. After rebates are issued to qualifying households, any remaining funds may also be made available to certain first-time small business owners.

Senate Republicans say that families across the state are already struggling to keep up with the higher costs of living and are now being hit with soaring electricity bills. They say that working and middle-class families often find themselves with no access to programs to help offset spiraling energy prices.