SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed two bills into law Thursday to help lower energy costs and increase transparency for customers. Sponsors say both laws could lift up working families struggling to get by.

House Bill 4456 will increase the income eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Democrats said the LIHEAP change can help more households qualify for the help they need.

"It's critically important to protect low income and middle income households from unsustainable utility costs," said Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Waukegan).

Yet, Republicans argue 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."

Sponsors stress the law will save residential, commercial and industrial ratepayers money by using federal funding first.

A separate law will create transparency surrounding utility fees. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability will conduct a study of utility charges separate from delivery and supply charges. They will then submit a report for the public to see on the Illinois Commerce Commission's website.

"House Bill 5524 amendment two is a transparency bill," said Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro). "It was negotiated with Ameren, ComEd, the ICC and I spoke with the comptroller's office."

This was a rare instance in Illinois where a GOP bill was discussed thoroughly in both chambers and gained strong bipartisan support. 

The LIHEAP expansion took effect immediately while the utility charge transparency law will take effect Jan. 1. 

"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."

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.