Quinn Administration Highlights Impact of Federal Recovery Funding on State's Weatherization Efforts

CHICAGO - October 30, 2009. On National Weatherization Day, representatives from Governor Pat Quinn’s Administration joined officials with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) and Serious Materials at a multi-family unit on Chicago’s West Side to highlight services being provided through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP). Illinois has received approximately $242 million in additional funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to assist with low-income home weatherization efforts over the next two years.

“More people throughout Illinois have access to home weatherization services this year thanks to funding through the federal recovery act,” said Governor Quinn. “With the help of our partner agencies, we are not only helping to reduce home energy bills for people who need it most, but are also putting hundreds of people back to work and furthering our commitment to a ‘greener economy’.”

IHWAP reduces heating and cooling costs for low-income families by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Measures may include: weather-stripping and caulking; insulating attics and walls; furnace work; repairing windows and doors; and replacing windows, if needed.

“We’ve already begun to see the impact of federal stimulus dollars,” said CEDA President/CEO Robert L. Wharton. “In order to meet the increased demand and triple the number of homes we will weatherize, we need to hire more staff and contractors to ensure work is done efficiently and timely. This is a great opportunity for Illinois to show that President Obama made the right choice to support major investments in energy efficiency initiatives.”

Governor Quinn signed legislation last summer increasing eligibility for the IHWAP program. The following reflects the new eligibility criteria: a person making $21,660 or less; a family of two making $29,140 or less; a family of three making $36,620 or less; or a family of four making $44,100 or less. Priority is given to households with high heating bills in relation to income, and households containing elderly members, persons with a disability or young children.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the IHWAP program on the state level. Weatherization assistance applications are processed through a network of 35 local administering agencies. People interested in applying to have their home weatherized can visit www.WeatherizationIllinois.com or call 877-411-9276 for more information.