reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
220 ILCS 5/7-213
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VII - Intercorporate Relations

(220 ILCS 5/7-213)Sec. 7-213. Limitations on the transfer of water systems.(a) In the event of a sale, purchase, or any other transfer of ownership, including, without limitation, the acquisition by eminent domain, of a water system, as defined under Section 11-124-10 of the Illinois Municipal Code, operated by a privately held public water utility, the water utility's contract or agreements with the acquiring entity (or, in the case of an eminent domain action, the court order) must require that the acquiring entity hire a sufficient number of non-supervisory employees to operate and maintain the water system by initially making offers of employment to the non-supervisory workforce of the water system at no less than the wage rates, and substantially equivalent fringe benefits and terms and conditions of employment that are in effect at the time of transfer of ownership of the water system. The wage rates and substantially equivalent fringe benefits and terms and conditions of employment must continue for at least 30 months after the time of the transfer of ownership unless the parties mutually agree to different terms and conditions of employment within that 30-month period.(b) The privately held public water utility shall offer a transition plan to those employees who are not offered jobs by the acquiring entity because that entity has a need for fewer workers. The transition plan shall mitigate employee job losses to the extent practical through such means as offers of voluntary severance, retraining, early retirement, out placement, or related benefits. Before any reduction in the workforce during a water system transaction, the privately held public water utility shall present to the employees, or their representatives, a transition plan outlining the means by which the utility intends to mitigate the impact of the workforce reduction of its employees.  (Source: P.A. 94-1007, eff. 1-1-07.)
220 ILCS 5/Art. VIII heading
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

 ARTICLE VIII.      SERVICE OBLIGATIONS AND CONDITIONS
220 ILCS 5/8-101
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

 (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-101)Sec. 8-101.     Duties of public utilities; nondiscrimination.     A  public utility shall furnish, provide, and maintain such  service instrumentalities, equipment, and facilities as shall promote the  safety, health, comfort, and convenience of its patrons, employees, and  public and as shall be in all respects adequate, efficient, just, and  reasonable.All rules and regulations made by a public utility affecting or  pertaining to its charges or service to the public shall be just and  reasonable.A public utility shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish to all  persons who may apply therefor and be reasonably entitled thereto, suitable  facilities and service, without discrimination and without delay.Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent a public utility from  accepting payment electronically or by the use of a customer-preferred  financially accredited credit or debit methodology.    (Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)
220 ILCS 5/8-101.5
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-101.5. Use of credit information of prospective and existing customers. A public utility may not deny, cancel, or nonrenew utility service  solely on  the basis of credit information of prospective or existing customers. If a public utility denies, cancels, or does not renew service based on credit information, it must provide the affected party with an explanation for the public utility's action and an opportunity for the affected party to explain its credit information. This Section does not apply to a telecommunications carrier or any of its affiliates.  (Source: P.A. 96-560, eff. 8-18-09.)
220 ILCS 5/8-102
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

 (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-102)Sec. 8-102.     Audit or investigation.     The Commission is authorized to  conduct or order a management audit or investigation of any public utility or  part thereof.  The audit or investigation may examine the  reasonableness, prudence, or efficiency of any aspect of the  utility's operations, costs, management, decisions or functions that may affect the adequacy, safety, efficiency or reliability of utility  service or the reasonableness or prudence of the costs  underlying rates or charges for utility service.  The Commission may conduct or  order a management audit or investigation only when it has reasonable grounds  to believe that the audit or investigation is necessary to assure  that the utility is providing adequate, efficient, reliable, safe,  and least-cost service and charging only just and reasonable rates  therefor, or that the audit or investigation is likely to be  cost-beneficial in enhancing the quality of service or the  reasonableness of rates therefor.  The Commission shall, before initiating  any such audit or investigation, issue an order describing the grounds for  the audit or investigation and the appropriate scope and nature of  the audit or investigation.  The scope and nature of any such  audit or investigation shall be reasonably related to the grounds relied upon  by the Commission in its order.Any audit or investigation authorized pursuant to this Section may be  conducted by the Commission, or if the Commission is unable to adequately  perform the audit or investigation, the Commission may arrange for  it to be conducted by persons independent of the utility and selected by the  Commission.  The cost of an independent audit shall be borne initially  by the utility, but shall be recovered as an expense through normal  ratemaking procedures.  Any audit or investigation shall be conducted in  accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.    (Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)
220 ILCS 5/8-103A
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-103A. Energy efficiency analysis. Beginning in 2013, an electric utility subject to the requirements of Section 8-103 of this Act shall include in its energy efficiency and demand-response plan submitted pursuant to subsection (f) of Section 8-103 an analysis of additional cost-effective energy efficiency measures that could be implemented, by customer class, absent the limitations set forth in subsection (d) of Section 8-103. In seeking public comment on the electric utility's plan pursuant to subsection (f) of Section 8-103, the Commission shall include, beginning in 2013, the assessment of additional cost-effective energy efficiency measures submitted pursuant to this Section. For purposes of this Section, the term "energy efficiency" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1-10 of the Illinois Power Agency Act, and the term "cost-effective" shall have the meaning set forth in subsection (a) of Section 8-103 of this Act.  (Source: P.A. 97-616, eff. 10-26-11.)
220 ILCS 5/8-105
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-105. (Repealed).  (Source: P.A. 96-33, eff. 7-10-09. Repealed internally, eff. 12-31-11.)
220 ILCS 5/8-201
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

 (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-201)Sec. 8-201.         It is the policy of this State that no person should be  denied essential utility service during the winter months due to financial  inability to pay.  It is also the policy of this State that public  utilities and residential heating customers deal with each other in good  faith and fair manner.    (Source: P.A. 84-617.)
220 ILCS 5/8-201.6
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-201.6. Deferral of deposit; victims of domestic violence. For the purposes of this Section, "domestic violence" means abuse by a family or household member, as "abuse" and "family or household members" are defined in Section 103 of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986.A utility shall defer the utility's initial credit and deposit requirements for a period of 60 days for a residential customer or applicant who is a victim of domestic violence. To be eligible for the deferral under this Section, the domestic violence must (1) have been the basis for the issuance of an order of protection or (2) be certified by treating medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, a State's Attorney, the Attorney General, or a domestic violence shelter. The certification letter must be printed on the certifying entity's letterhead or accompanied by a letter on the certifying entity's letterhead that identifies the certifying individual.   (Source: P.A. 99-420, eff. 1-1-16.)
220 ILCS 5/8-201.7
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-201.7. Prohibition on deposits for low-income residential customers or applicants.(a) On and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, no electric or gas utility shall, as a condition for standard service, require a low-income residential customer or applicant to provide a deposit as security against potential non-payment for service except when the utility has proof that the customer engaged in tampering of the electric or gas utility equipment during the previous 5 years.     Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, such utility shall refund all deposits collected from low-income customers as security against potential nonpayment for standard service to such residential customers except when the utility has proof that the customer benefited from tampering. Proof that the customer for whom the deposit is being required engaged in tampering shall be the burden of the utility and the utility shall provide the customer the opportunity to contest the finding that the customer engaged in tampering.(b) As used in this Section:"Low-income residential customer or applicant" means: (i) a member of a household at or below 80% of the latest median household income as reported by the United States Census Bureau for the most applicable community or county; (ii) a member of a household at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; (iii) a person who is eligible for the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; (iv) a person who is eligible to participate in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP or PIP Plan) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; or (v) a person who is eligible to receive Lifeline service as defined in the Universal Service Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985."Tampering" means any unauthorized alteration of electric or gas utility equipment or facilities by which a benefit is achieved for which the utility is not compensated, including customer self-restoration of utility service.   (Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)
220 ILCS 5/8-201.8
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-201.8. Prohibition on late payment fees for low-income residential customers or applicants.(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, an electric utility shall not charge a low-income residential customer or applicant a fee, charge, or penalty for late payment of any utility bill or invoice. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, as of January 1, 2023, a natural gas utility shall not charge a low-income residential customer or applicant a fee, charge, or penalty for late payment of any utility bill or invoice.(b) As used in this Section, "low-income residential customer or applicant" means: (i) a member of a household at or below 80% of the latest median household income as reported by the United States Census Bureau for the most applicable community or county; (ii) a member of a household at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; (iii) a person who is eligible for the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; (iv) a person who is eligible to participate in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP or PIP Plan) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; or (v) a person who is eligible to receive Lifeline service as defined in the Universal Service Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985.  (Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)
220 ILCS 5/8-201.9
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-201.9. Prohibition on credit card convenience fees.(a) No electric or natural gas utility shall assess any convenience fee, surcharge, or other fee to any customer who elects to pay for service using a credit card that the electric or natural gas utility would not assess to the customer if the customer paid by other available methods acceptable to the utility. The Commission may consider as an operating expense, for the purpose of determining whether a rate or other charge or classification is sufficient, costs incurred by a utility to process payments described in this Section so long as those costs are determined to be prudent, just, and reasonable.(b) As used in this Section, "credit card" means an instrument or device, whether known as a credit card, bank card, charge card, debit card, automated teller machine card, secured credit card, smart card, electronic purse, prepaid card, affinity card, or by any other name, issued with or without fee by an issuer for the use of the holder to obtain credit, money, goods, services, or anything else of value.   (Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)
220 ILCS 5/8-202
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

 (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-202)Sec. 8-202.         Any public utility, or two or more public utilities, which  furnishes electricity or gas for space heating shall, during the calendar  months of November, December, January, February, and March:(a) give written notice of its intention to terminate or cut off such  service or supply for any reason, other than by request of the customer,  to the customer.  Such notice shall be sent by U.S. Mail at least 8 days  prior to termination of service or supply or delivered by other means to  the customer 5 days prior to such termination; and(b) deliver written notice of intention to terminate or cut off such service  or supply for any reason, other than by request of the customer, to the  Director of the local department of public health or, if there is no local  department of public health, then to the township supervisor or, if there  is no township supervisor, then to the county sheriff where the premises  receiving such service or supply is located; and(c) send, by certified mail, prior written notice of its intention to  terminate or cut off such service or supply for any reason, other than by  request of the customer, to the owner of record and/or the mortgagee of  the premises receiving such service or supply, should the owner of record  or mortgagee make request to the public utility for any such notice.The notice required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section shall be  delivered or mailed at least 24 hours and not more than 48 hours prior to  the termination of service or supply.Any termination notice delivered or mailed to a customer shall include a  statement advising said customer that the township supervisor, local department  of public health, or county sheriff, and the owner and/or the mortgagee,  if applicable, will be notified of the termination action at least 24 hours  prior to the termination of service or supply.Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the power of the Commission  to adopt other rules and regulations pursuant to service termination notices.No public official to whom notice is given pursuant to subparagraph (b)  of this Section shall be liable for death, injury or damages resulting from  cut-off of electricity or gas service or supply.    (Source: P.A. 84-617.)
220 ILCS 5/8-203
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

 (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-203)Sec. 8-203.         No public utility company which furnishes gas or  electricity for space heating shall, during the calendar months of  October, November, December, January, February and March, terminate or  cut off service to any residence or other building at the request of a  customer unless:(a) the customer making the request identifies himself or herself as  the owner of the residence or other building or provides reasonable  assurance that the owner or the agent thereof has been notified of the  request; or(b) the public utility company has made a reasonable effort to  ascertain the owner or the agent thereof and to notify such owner or  agent of the request; or(c) more than 24 hours has elapsed from the time the request was  received by the public utility company.    (Source: P.A. 84-617.)
220 ILCS 5/8-204
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

 (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-204)Sec. 8-204.         Every public utility company which furnishes electricity to  residential customers shall (a) maintain a registry of those individuals  who are dependent on an electrically operated respirator, dialysis machine  or any other electrically operated life-support equipment, and (b)  identify with a special tag each meter used in conjunction with the  provision of electric service to such individuals.  The existence  of the registry shall be reasonably publicized by the public utility to  its residential customers and the general public.  It shall be the  responsibility, however, of any individual relying on any life-support  equipment to notify the public utility providing electrical service of his  or her dependency on such life-support equipment.    (Source: P.A. 86-1424.)
220 ILCS 5/8-205
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

 (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-205)Sec. 8-205. (a) Termination of gas and electric utility service to all  residential users, including all tenants of mastermetered apartment  buildings, for nonpayment of bills, where gas or electricity is used as the  only source of space heating or to control or operate the only space  heating equipment at the residence is prohibited,(1)  on any day when the National Weather Service     forecast for the following 24 hours covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located includes a forecast that the temperature will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below; or(2)  on any day preceding a holiday or a weekend when     such a forecast indicated that the temperature will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below during the holiday or weekend.(b) If gas or electricity is used as the only source of space cooling or to control or operate the only space cooling equipment at a residence, then a utility with over 100,000 residential customers may not terminate gas or electric utility service to the residential user, including all tenants of mastermetered apartment buildings:(1) on any day when the National Weather Service     forecast for the following 24 hours covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located includes a forecast that the temperature will be 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above; or(2) on any day preceding a holiday or weekend when a     forecast indicates that the temperature will be 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above during the holiday or weekend.  (Source: P.A. 95-772, eff. 8-1-08.)
220 ILCS 5/8-208
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-208.         (a) The General Assembly finds that the availability of  adequate, affordable housing bears a close relationship to efficient and  reliable delivery of utility services and that the lack of affordable housing  exacerbates difficulties in the delivery of electric services.  It is further  found that the meeting of electric public utility service obligations imposed  under this Act can be attained by allocating certain resources to alleviating  housing needs.  It is declared to be the public policy of this State that  prudent investments in or contributions to projects that foster the  availability of adequate, affordable housing furthers the goals and objectives  of this Act.(b) Beginning in calendar year 1994 and continuing through calendar year  2014, a public utility providing electric service to more than 1,000,000  customers in this State shall contribute, from retained earnings, each year  $500,000 to the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund created by the Illinois  Affordable Housing Act.    (Source: P.A. 88-83; 88-653, eff. 1-1-95.)
220 ILCS 5/8-209
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 220 - UTILITIES|220 ILCS 5/ - Public Utilities Act.|Article VIII - Service Obligations And Conditions

Sec. 8-209. Utility credit reporting. If a public utility reports a customer to a credit reporting agency for non-payment of an outstanding utility bill, then a public utility shall notify the credit reporting agency within 5 business days of any full payment made with certified funds or cash. For the purposes of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, certified funds means instruments that are guaranteed by the issuing institution or have cleared the issuing institution.  (Source: P.A. 97-821, eff. 1-1-13.)