Decatur, Ill (WAND) – Home energy assistance, known as LIHEAP, to help low income households pay their power bills could be eliminated under a proposed fiscal 2027 budget being offered by the Trump Administration.
The proposal would slash $4 billion from LIHEAP. The cut would essentially wipe the program out.
In Decatur, the Empowerment Opportunity Center met with Rep. Nikki Budzinski on Thursday. The center told the Illinois Democrat the demand for LIHEAP is growing. As of April 9, 2026 about 4,000 people have signed up for LIHEAP which is 1,000 higher than last year.
Budzinski is also keeping an eye on Head Start programs where funding has recently been flat. The Empowerment Opportunity Center currently has 180 kids enrolled for their Head Start program with a waiting list for another 300 children.
Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
