Governor Blagojevich opens 122 state buildings this winter to shelter anyone seeking refuge from the cold

CHICAGO - As the temperatures begin to drop, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the opening of 122 state buildings to the general public as warming centers, so that anyone seeking refuge from the cold has a heated place to go.  As part of the Governor's Keep Warm Illinois campaign, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will open these offices statewide along with seven Illinois Tollway oases that will serve as warming centers.  The Governor today also encouraged families to apply for energy assistance to help keep their homes warm and safe in the coming winter months.  For information on energy assistance or weatherization tips, families can visit the Keep Warm Illinois website at www.keepwarm.illinois.gov or call the toll-free Keep Warm Illinois hotline at 1-877-411-WARM. 

 

"Last winter hundreds of people used the warming centers to shield themselves from the bitter cold temperatures, snow and ice.  This year we want to make sure once again these centers are open so that no one risks their health and safety while trying to beat the cold," Gov. Blagojevich said.   "In addition, we are encouraging families to apply for energy assistance now, so that they get help keeping up with higher heating bills as quickly as possible." 

 

The DHS warming centers will be at locations that are open during normal business hours, Monday - Friday. Area homeless shelters that are likely to face overflow crowds, as well as local police and fire departments have also been notified about this option.  After 5:00 p.m. people using the warming centers will be referred to overnight shelters.

 

"The warming centers are an excellent place for Illinois families to stay safe and warm this winter," said IDHS Secretary Carol L. Adams, Ph.D.  "People who want to lower their thermostats during the day in order to save costs on their utilities are encouraged to take advantage of the warming centers."

 

In addition to providing the warming centers, IDHS is sending out Keep Warm Illinois information flyers and brochures to more than one million IDHS customers. Information was included in December mailings to TANF, Medical card and Food Stamps recipients. More than 70,000 book marks with Keep Warm Illinois information were distributed to eight regional food banks    

 

"As the weather gets colder, we are redoubling our efforts to reach out to families in every community to help them get the home energy assistance they need to stay healthy and safe," said Barry Maram, Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.  "We encourage all families who are eligible for LIHEAP to apply now, to get the assistance they need as quickly as possible."

 

LIHEAP is a state- and federally-funded energy assistance program that assists households with incomes of up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level.  A single-person household can qualify with a monthly income of up to $1,225, a two-person household up to $1,650, and a family of four can earn up to $2,500.  LIHEAP energy grant applications are processed through a network of 35 Local Administering Agencies around the state.  The winter heating program is expected to serve 300,000 households this winter with an estimated $150 million in state and federal funding.  For a complete listing of LIHEAP's local administrating agencies and additional information about the grant program, go to www.liheapillinois.com, or call the toll-free Keep Warm Illinois hotline at 1-877-411-WARM.

 

Governor Blagojevich launched the Keep Warm Illinois campaign and website in October to help all Illinoisans stay warm, healthy and safe this winter. The Keep Warm Illinois campaign brings state agencies together to coordinate efforts in preparing communities across the state for high home heating costs this winter.  The Keep Warm Illinois website (www.keepwarm.illinois.gov) offers various no-cost and low-cost energy saving tips, a web-based tool to conduct a home energy audit, links to energy assistance programs and other resources.  In addition, the Keep Warm Illinois hotline (1-877-411-WARM) is another resource for Illinois residents to learn how to save energy and get energy assistance.

 

Keep Warm Illinois Warming Center list: DHS Family Community Resource Centers