CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today urged Illinois residents to participate in the upcoming Keep Warm Illinois workshops scheduled at community colleges across Illinois. With record natural gas prices anticipated for this winter’s heating season, Illinois households will face significantly higher utility bills, with costs up to 70 percent higher than last winter. While every family in Illinois will be affected, higher home heating costs will create a particular hardship for senior citizens and families already struggling to get by. These workshops will educate Illinoisans about do-it-yourself energy-saving strategies to help reduce the cost of this winter’s heating bills through conservation and weatherization techniques. People can now also call the Keep Warm Illinois hotline, 1-877-411-WARM, for information about energy conservation, energy assistance or to find a home energy savings workshop near them. The hotline is available Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. You can also visit www.KeepWarm.Illinois.gov.

"Home heating costs are threatening to break the budget for households across Illinois, but everyone can lower monthly bills by conserving energy and weatherizing their homes. People statewide should attend these important workshops designed to offer Illinois families the opportunity to learn more about easy ways to save money by cutting your energy costs," said Gov. Blagojevich.

The workshops broadcast to community colleges throughout Illinois will feature cost-conscious home energy efficiency subjects including: insulation, weatherization, heating, water heating, energy efficient appliances and lighting. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will host the workshops in partnership with Illinois’ network of community colleges.

Upcoming workshops will be conducted on Tuesday, January 10th at 7:00pm and Wednesday, January 11th at 7:00pm. The workshops will last approximately one hour and will include written materials, a video presentation and a question and answer period. Energy professionals from throughout Illinois have volunteered to lead the workshops.

"The Keep Warm Illinois campaign will inform and educate residents across the state so they can save money by conserving energy," said DCEO Director Jack Lavin. "Gov. Blagojevich and I encourage all Illinoisans - especially senior citizens and those with lower incomes - to attend a workshop and learn how to keep warm while reducing your utility bill this winter."

Times and locations of the workshops are listed below.