SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House passed a bill Wednesday to protect low-income families from rising utility rates.

This plan could increase the income eligibility threshold for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Sponsors said the LIHEAP change can help more households qualify for the help they need.

Yet, Republicans are concerned it will only lead to higher rates for other customers.

"The reality is this is another rate increase on the people who are middle income and all the way up," said Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville). "If we're talking about affordability, frankly, we can't afford it."

However, Democrats said the bill would save residential, commercial and industrial ratepayers money by using federal funding first.

House Bill 4456 passed out of the House on a partisan 74-37 vote. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration. 

"Utility companies already go to ratepayers to recover their costs," said Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake). "There is an argument to be made that if people are having their utilities shut off, the utility companies are already going to the ICC for those ratepayer increases to help cover those costs. This makes it a stable, predictable amount for everyday people on their bill."

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