State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin) announced Tuesday that Governor Quinn has signed House Bill 1260, Senator Noland’s bill to protect active service members and veterans from utility shut-offs during the winter months.

“As a veteran, I know catching up on obligations after returning from active duty can be financially challenging,” Noland said. “Veterans and their families deserve support in keeping their homes warm while they rebound from financial difficulties related to recent deployment or delays in finding gainful employment after returning home.”

House Bill 1260 would prevent an electric or gas public utility from disconnecting service for nonpayment to a customer who has notified the utility he or she is a service member or veteran. It specifies the utility would not be permitted to stop service if gas or electric is the primary power source of heating the home during winter months.

Under previous law, the prohibition for shutting off service was for military personnel returning from active duty. Now if a residential customer notifies the utility they are a service member or veteran they would not have their electric or gas power disconnected for non-payment of their utility bill from December 1 through March 31.

“As the US continues to deploy a large number of troops abroad, we must continue to address home front issues that challenge our service members and their families locally,” Noland said. “It is important here during the warm month of July to remember that cold weather will one day return.  I hope this new law will lessen one burden on service members in Illinois.”

The Governor signed House Bill 1260, now Public Act 097-0077, on July 3.