NEW Leadership Illinois 2010 Summer Institute

NEW Leadership Illinois 2010 Summer Institute is a non-partisan, week-long residential program for college women designed to increase women's respresentation in all elements of public life, including elected office. The program chalelnges our brightest students to think critically and creatively about public policy and encourages them to make a commitment to public leadership early in their careers.

Applications will be accepted until March 12, 2010. The program takes place at the University of Illinois-Chicago from June 6-11, 2010.

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Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program

Each year the Illinois Legislative Intern Program provides 24 unique internships for keenly interested, deeply motivated and talented individuals to work within state government. With the capitol as both workplace and classroom, interns can earn eight (8) graduate credits in political studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

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New Delivery Rates Approved for Peoples Gas

According to a news release from People's Gas received January 22, 2010, "the utilities understand that there is never a good time for a rate increase but like any other company, the rates charged must reflect today’s costs of doing business and these changes will allow the companies to meet their obligation of delivering safe and reliable energy to one-million homes and businesses."

• For a typical Peoples Gas residential heating customer in Chicago, the new delivery rates will result in an increase of about $4 per month which represents an average increase of about 5 percent on an annualized basis.
• The new delivery rates for both utilities are expected to take effect on January 28, 2010 and will be reflected on customers’ bills beginning mid-February.

 There are a number of programs available to assist you in paying your gas bill:

• LIHEAP (Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program), administered by CEDA for Peoples Gas, provides an annual grant to households with incomes at or below 150 percent of the federally-established poverty level.  The grants are based on the last 30 days of income.
• Share the Warmth, administered by CEDA, provides matching grants of up to $200 to limited and fixed-income households.
• PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) pilot program, administered by CEDA, limits eligible customer’s monthly payment for gas bills to just $10.00. The pilot is limited to a pre-identified pool of customers.   
• Budget Billing Plan helps customers manage their energy costs by spreading bill payments more evenly throughout the year.
• Chicagoland Natural Gas Savings Program offers rebates and low-interest loans to encourage customers to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes, apartment buildings and businesses.

For more information on the new rates and programs available for assistance visit www.peoplesgasdelivery.com

Small Business Improvement Fund

The SBIF program encourages commercial and industrial business owners to invest in their property by making TIF funds available for building improvements.  Applicants can receive reimbursement grants of up to $150,000 for both exterior and interior improvements such as new windows, floors, green and conventional roofs, heating and air conditioning systems and other energy-saving or green improvements.