Illinois

ILModerate

Days notice (electric)

Days notice (gas)

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Winter moratorium

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Medical exemption

What to do today

If you have a shutoff notice, the date on it is the one that matters. These steps work best in this order.

Call your utility before the date on your notice
Ask for a payment plan or a deferred payment arrangement. Most states require your utility to offer one, and asking before the date is what keeps your service on. The number is on your bill.
Apply for energy assistance
LIHEAP helps with utility bills and does not have to be paid back. Call the national referral line on 1-866-674-6327 weekdays 9am to 7pm Eastern, or visit energyhelp.us.
Dial 211 for local help
211 is free and connects you to local funds for utilities, rent and food. Some local agencies can pay a utility directly to stop a shutoff.
Ask about medical certification
Illinois recognises medical protections. If anyone in your home has a serious illness or relies on powered medical equipment, a note from a doctor can delay a shutoff. Ask your utility for the form today, because it usually has to be back within days.
Contact the regulator if your utility will not work with you
icc.illinois.gov handles complaints against regulated utilities in Illinois. Filing one can pause a disconnection while it is looked at.

Electric Gas Water Medical Low Income Regulator

Electric Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days

Reconnection feeVaries by utility

Winter moratorium: December 1–March 31: state-regulated utilities cannot shut off residential heating service if the customer is a LIHEAP/PIPP participant, an electric space-heating customer, a military/veteran household, or offers a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) with max 10% down payment. DPA route means utilities can still disconnect if customer refuses to engage. Winter notice requirement: at least 6 business days. Standard notice: at least 10 days after the notice is sent or delivered (83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.130(d)(2)); the notice stays effective for 45 days.

Major Utilities

ComEd (Commonweal…Ameren Illinois E…

ComEd (Commonwealth Edison / Exelon)

Northeastern Illinois including Chicago metro and suburbs; approximately 4 million customers

10-day notice

Cold weather rule: no shutoff when temperature is forecast at or below 32°F for next 24 hours

Winter gas moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31) applies to gas service, not electric, but ComEd electric customers have the cold weather temperature-based rule

Medical certificate: utility cannot disconnect for 60 days upon receipt of valid medical certificate

certificate must state that disconnection will aggravate or create a medical emergency

telephone certification accepted if followed by written documentation within 7 days

a Medical Payment Arrangement (MPA) automatically begins 30 days after certification

Under 83 Ill

Code 280.130, ComEd must send a disconnection notice at least 10 days before shutoff (8 days if mailed, 5 days if hand-delivered)

Notice must be sent separately from other mail

Utility must attempt a warning call 48+ hours before scheduled disconnection (second call required 24 hrs prior if first did not reach anyone)

No disconnection after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday, on weekends, state/utility holidays, or the day before a holiday, unless same-day reconnection is available

no shutoff when forecast exceeds 90°F (lowered from 95°F effective January 1, 2024) for utilities providing primary source of space cooling

DPA (Deferred Payment Arrangement): standard customers must pay 25% down on past-due amount, 4–12 billing cycles to repay balance

low-income customers have reduced down payment (maximum 20%) and 6–18 months to repay

Reconnection: electric customers reconnected within 4 calendar days after remedying reason for disconnection

if utility fails to meet timeframe it cannot charge reconnection fee

erroneous disconnections reconnected within 1 business day at no charge

ComEd charges a reconnection fee, but no figure could be confirmed from the ICC tariff library or from ComEd's published material, so none is shown here

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (income at or below 200% FPL, apply through Community Action Agency Oct 1–Aug 15); Low-Income Discount (LID) Program (5–80% monthly bill discount for customers at or below 300% FPL, auto-enrollment for LIHEAP recipients, launched Feb 2026); Supplemental Arrearage Reduction Program (SARP) for LIHEAP-qualified customers; PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Fresh Start Arrearage Reduction Program (up to $150/month credit after 6 on-time payments); Smart Assistance Manager (SAM) tool at ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance

"83 Ill. Adm. Code § 280.130 - Disconnection of Service + ICC Consumer Protections." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Ameren Illinois Electric

Central and southern Illinois; approximately 1.2 million electric customers

10-day notice

Cold weather rule: no shutoff when forecast at or below 32°F

no shutoff when forecast exceeds 90°F (effective Jan 1, 2024)

Medical certificate protects service for 60 days

Medical Payment Arrangement auto-begins 30 days after certification

Subject to same 83 Ill

Code Part 280 rules as all ICC-regulated electric utilities

Disconnection notice at least 10 days (8 days if mailed, 5 days if hand-delivered)

48-hour warning call required

No disconnection after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday, on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day preceding holiday unless same-day reconnection available

DPA: 25% down payment for standard customers

low-income customers reduced down payment

4–12+ billing cycles

First annual reconnection during regular business hours is waived

Reconnection fee:$15.00 during regular working hours; $50.00 outside regular working hours (effective January 17, 2025 per Ill. C.C. No. 1 tariff). First reconnection per calendar year during regular hours is waived for disconnection due to non-payment, failure to establish credit, or deposit issues.

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (apply through Community Action Agency); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Low-Income Discount Rate (3–6% of income cap starting June 2026, per CEJA); Warm Neighbors Cool Friends weatherization program; deferred payment agreements; budget billing. Phone: 1-800-755-5000

"Ameren Illinois Electric Service Schedule Ill. C.C. No. 1, Miscellaneous Fees and Charges (ICC current tariff book)." icc.illinois.gov. Retrieved 20 Sep 2026.

Gas Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice required10 days

Reconnection fee$50 to $141 standard, at 4 of 4 utilities below

Major Utilities

Peoples Gas (WEC …North Shore Gas (…Nicor Gas Ameren Illinois G…

Peoples Gas (WEC Energy Group)

City of Chicago gas distribution

10-day notice

Winter moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31): gas heating customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment if gas is primary heating source

Medical certificate: no disconnection for 60 days

must be signed by physician, NP, or PA

telephone certification valid if written follows within 7 days

Subject to 83 Ill

Code Part 280

Disconnection notice: at least 5 days after delivery or 8 days after mailing

48-hour warning call required

No disconnection after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday, on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day before holiday unless same-day reconnection available

No disconnection when temperature forecast at or below 32°F

utility must first offer a DPA with maximum 10% down payment on past-due amount spread over at least 4 months (not extending past the following November)

utility must provide contact information for assistance agencies

Separate year-round protection for participants in the Energy Act of 1989 (low-income assistance program)

auto-MPA begins

DPA standard: 25% down, 4–18 months

LIHEAP participants: 0% down, 18 months

Reconnection of gas service required within 7 calendar days of customer remedying the cause

Reconnection fee:$141.00 standard meter reconnection (first reconnection per calendar year automatically waived); $282.00 if meter was removed; $750.00 if service was cut at the main or by excavation. Includes relighting up to 4 gas appliances; additional appliances $13.00 each. Effective February 19, 2026 per ICC Advice No. 1941.

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (apply through CEDA: cedaorg.net or 800-571-2332 for Chicago residents, income at or below 200% FPL); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026, apply through Community Action Agency); Share the Warmth grants up to $200; Low-Income Discount Rate (5–84% monthly discount per CEJA); budget billing and deferred payment arrangements. Phone: 1-866-556-6001

"Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company, Ill. C.C. No. 28, Schedule of Rates for Gas Service (ICC current tariff book)." icc.illinois.gov. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

North Shore Gas (WEC Energy Group)

Northern suburbs of Chicago including Lake County area

10-day notice

Winter moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31): gas heating customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment

Medical certificate: 60-day protection

signed by physician, NP, or PA

telephone certification valid if written follows within 7 days

Same 83 Ill

Code Part 280 rules as Peoples Gas

Disconnection notice: at least 5 days after delivery or 8 days after mailing

48-hour warning call required

No disconnection on weekends, holidays, after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday unless same-day reconnection available

No disconnection when temp forecast at or below 32°F

utility must offer DPA with maximum 10% down payment spread over at least 4 months not extending past following November

utility must provide assistance agency contacts

Year-round protection for participants in Energy Act of 1989 (low-income program)

auto-MPA

DPA standard: 25% down, up to 18 months

LIHEAP participants: 0% down, 18 months

Gas service reconnection required within 7 calendar days

Reconnection fee:$113.00 standard meter reconnection (first reconnection per calendar year automatically waived); $270.00 if meter was removed; $750.00 if cut at main or by excavation. Includes relighting up to 4 gas appliances; additional appliances $12.00 each. Per ICC Advice No. 1705 filed January 5, 2026.

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (apply through Community Action Partnership of Lake County: 847-249-4330); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Share the Warmth grants up to $200; Low-Income Discount Rate (5–84% monthly discount per CEJA); budget billing and DPAs. Phone: 1-866-556-6004

"North Shore Gas Company, Ill. C.C. No. 17, Gas Service Schedule (ICC current tariff book)." icc.illinois.gov. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Nicor Gas

Northern Illinois suburbs; approximately 2.2 million customers; largest gas utility in Illinois

10-day notice

Winter moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31): gas heating customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment

Medical certificate: 60-day protection

auto-MPA 30 days after certification

Subject to 83 Ill

Code Part 280

Same notice and disconnection timing rules: 10 days (8 mailed/5 hand-delivered) minimum notice

48-hour warning call

No disconnection on weekends, holidays, after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday unless same-day reconnection available

No disconnection when temp forecast at or below 32°F

utility must offer DPA with maximum 10% down on arrears spread over at least 4 months not extending past following November

DPA: standard customers 25% down, 4–12 billing cycles

income-eligible customers reduced down payment

Reconnection: gas service within 7 calendar days of customer remedying issue

First reconnection per calendar year at the meter is without charge

Reconnection fee:First reconnection per calendar year: no charge. Subsequent reconnections in same calendar year: $90.00. Per Nicor Gas Rate Book Ill. C.C. No. 16.

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (income at or below 200% FPL, apply through Community Action Agency); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Energy Aide Program (up to $350 grant toward past-due balance, at or below 350% FPL, administered by local agencies); Sharing Program (one-time annual grants, administered by Salvation Army); Low-Income Discount Program (5–77% monthly bill discount, auto-enrollment for LIHEAP/PIPP/Sharing recipients, income at or below 300% FPL). Phone: 1-888-642-6748

"Northern Illinois Gas Company (Nicor Gas), Ill. C.C. No. 16, Gas Service Schedule (ICC current tariff book)." icc.illinois.gov. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Ameren Illinois Gas

Central and southern Illinois gas distribution; approximately 816,000 gas customers

10-day notice

Winter moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31): gas heating customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment

Medical certificate: 60-day protection

telephone certification valid if written follows within 7 days

Same 83 Ill

Code Part 280 rules as all ICC-regulated gas utilities

Disconnection notice at least 10 days (8 mailed, 5 hand-delivered)

48-hour warning call required

No disconnection after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday, on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day before holiday unless same-day reconnection available

No disconnection when forecast at or below 32°F

utility must offer DPA with maximum 10% down on arrears spread over at least 4 months not extending past following November

auto-MPA

DPA: 25% down, 4–12+ billing cycles for standard customers

income-eligible customers have reduced requirements

Gas service reconnection required within 7 calendar days

Reconnection fee:$50.00 during regular working hours; $85.00 outside regular working hours; $400.00 where service was physically cut at the main; the regular-hours charge is waived once each calendar year

Assistance Programs

LIHEAP (apply through Community Action Agency); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Low-Income Discount Rate for gas (5–84% monthly discount per CEJA, effective 2026); Warm Neighbors Cool Friends weatherization; deferred payment agreements; budget billing. Phone: 1-800-755-5000

"Ameren Illinois Gas Service Schedule Ill. C.C. No. 2, Miscellaneous Fees and Charges (ICC current tariff book)." icc.illinois.gov. Retrieved 20 Sep 2026.

Water Shutoff Rules

Regulatory notice requiredNot regulated / varies

Major Utilities

Illinois American…Aqua Illinois Chicago Dept of W…

Illinois American Water

Multiple communities statewide across Illinois; investor-owned water utility regulated by ICC

10-day notice

Medical hardship: attending physician must contact utility within 15 days of bill issuance

Regulated by ICC under 83 Ill

Code Part 280, which governs gas, electric, water and sanitary sewer utilities alike

Section 280.130(g)(2) sets a single disconnection-notice period: the utility shall not disconnect service until at least 10 days after the notice is sent or delivered, effective for 45 days (280.130(g)(3)). (The 8-days-mailed/5-days-hand-delivered figure appears in a superseded version of Part 280

the current rule is a flat 10 days for every utility type it covers, not just electric and gas.) Disconnections occur only between 8 AM–2 PM Monday–Thursday and 8 AM–12 PM Friday, per the utility's own rights booklet

48-hour warning call required

No disconnection on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day before holiday

No disconnection when temp forecast at or below 32°F

protection for 60 days

auto-payment plan established

DPA available

First reconnection during regular business hours per calendar year is waived

If installment plan is in default, full outstanding balance may be required before reconnection

Reconnection fee:$32.00 during regular business hours; first reconnection per calendar year during regular business hours is waived

Assistance Programs

LIHWAP (federally funded, up to $400 for arrears or $1,500 if already disconnected, income at or below 200% FPL, apply through DCEO); H2O Help to Others Program (supplemental grants from Salvation Army partnership); Income-Based Discount Program (monthly bill discount via Dollar Energy Fund, apply at 1-888-282-6816); LIHEAP may also cover water in some cases; payment plans available. Phone: 1-800-422-2782

"83 Ill. Adm. Code § 280.130 - Disconnection of Service (applies to water utilities; Illinois American Water rights booklet used for fee and business-hours detail)." law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Aqua Illinois

Various communities in Illinois; investor-owned water utility regulated by ICC (Ill. C.C. No. 49)

10-day notice

Medical hardship: attending physician must contact utility within 15 days of bill issuance

Regulated by ICC under 83 Ill

Code Part 280 (water provisions)

Disconnection notice must be a separate mailing with 'termination notice' prominently displayed

sent by US Mail or hand-delivered at least 5 days prior to stated disconnection date

No disconnection on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day before a holiday

No disconnection when temp forecast at or below 32°F

Service may be disconnected without notice only for known dangerous conditions or confirmed meter tampering

protection for 60 days

Reconnection requires payment of reconnection fee, all arrears, and any required deposit

Low-Income Discount Program launched July 1, 2025 (70% discount on volumetric charges for customers at or below 150% FPL)

Reconnection fee:$25.00 per ICC-approved tariff (Ill. C.C. No. 50)

Assistance Programs

LIHWAP (federally funded, apply through DCEO); Aqua Aid (up to $150 for water-only, up to $250 for water and sewer combined); Low-Income Discount Program (70% discount on volumetric charges for customers at or below 150% FPL, effective July 1, 2025); deferred payment arrangements up to 12 months; budget billing. Phone: 1-877-987-2782

"Aqua Illinois, Inc., Ill. C.C. No. 50, Rules and Regulations (ICC current tariff book)." icc.illinois.gov. Retrieved 21 Sep 2026.

Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM)

City of Chicago municipal water and sewer service

In July 2022, Chicago City Council unanimously passed an ordinance codifying the end of residential water shutoffs for nonpayment (building on a 2019 moratorium)

danger to public health, safety, or general well-being

Chicago DWM is a municipal utility governed by Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 11-12, NOT by ICC Part 280

Residential water shutoffs for nonpayment are effectively prohibited by ordinance

The ordinance removes DWM authority to terminate residential water service for nonpayment of water, sewer, or refuse collection charges

Shutoffs remain permissible for: waste or abuse of water supply

nonpayment by municipal, industrial, or commercial users

vacant registered buildings

unauthorized use/tampering

fraud

The specific advance-notice period for those remaining cases could not be confirmed from a primary source reachable here (Chicago's codified ordinances at codelibrary.amlegal.com returned HTTP 403)

a day count is not stated on this page, so notice_days is left null rather than asserted

Reconnection fee:No standard residential reconnection fee applicable — residential nonpayment shutoffs are banned by ordinance (Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 11-12, July 2022)

Assistance Programs

Utility Billing Relief (UBR) Program: 50% reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax charges; no new late-payment penalties or shutoff activity; debt forgiveness after 1 year of successful on-time payments at reduced rate; eligibility requires income at or below 200% FPL; homeowners must own and occupy single-family or two-unit residence; undocumented residents eligible under Welcoming City Ordinance. Apply at chicago.gov or utilitybill.chicago.gov. LIHWAP (apply through DCEO); MeterSave program (free water meter). Phone: Chicago 311

"City of Chicago - Ordinance Promoting Water Access, Affordability, and Data Reporting Transparency (July 2022)." chicago.gov. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Medical & Vulnerable Household Exemptions

Medical emergency protection available. Illinois Commerce Commission rules require utilities to postpone disconnection when a life-threatening or serious illness is certified.

Low-Income Protections

LIHEAP administered by Illinois DCEO. Illinois PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) provides bill discounts based on income — one of the strongest low-income utility programs in the country. ComEd CARE and Nicor Gas LIHEAP Rebate programs also available.

Your State Regulator

File a complaint or get help from Illinois's utility regulator →

Data last verified: 2026-09-20. Rules may change — verify with your state regulator.