That reality may arrive with the season's first flowers. In particular, Russell recalls a man who tried to keep warm by lighting 50 to 70 candles around the house. I'm not saying people are stupid, but they do get desperate. Though energy utilities are not specifically prohibited from disconnecting service during the winter months, Illinois Commerce Commission rules bar them from disconnecting service as long as the temperature is below 32 degrees. Once temperatures hold at 32 degrees for more than 24 hours, they can start sending out shut-off crews.
Energy companies offer a variety of flexible pay arrangements to help customers avoid disconnection.
There's no reason for a customer to reach that point. Disconnections are a last resort. But there also are foreboding signals. Illinois-American Water Co., a utility that can disconnect service throughout the year, has seen an approximate 33 percent increase in delinquencies since November. Typically, if people have to make tough financial choices in the winter, they'll pay water bills instead of energy bills, according to Ernestine Williams, coordinator in the Salvation Army's family services division.