Publisher: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Published: September 24, 2026
Source: Read at Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (https://illinois-department-of-commerce-and-economic-opportunity.prezly.com/governor-pritzker-announces-liheap-application-for-utility-bill-assistance)
Category: Food Access
Illinois will open applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program on October 1, 2026, and accept them through August 13, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. The Help Illinois Families energy bill assistance program offers $240 million for eligible households' natural gas, propane, electricity, and furnace assistance. Priority applications begin October 1, 2026, for adults 60 years or older, people with a disability, families with children five years old or younger, and households facing utility disconnection, a disconnection notice, or a propane tank below 25%. All other income-eligible households can apply November 1, 2026, and the state says LIHEAP provided assistance to 360,500 households at an average of $676 per household during the prior funding period.
Why this matters: Independent grocers and food-access groups can share this application information with eligible shoppers and clients. Utility assistance may help households avoid choosing between energy bills and food, a tradeoff cited by the governor.
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