Bloomington’s elected leaders eye support for utility shutoff moratorium

Posted on April 20, 2021

 

Monday’s discussion on utility shutoffs came a week after elected leaders decided the city government would hold off on shutting off water service for non-payment of bills. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington alderman says it’s too soon for utility companies to turn off the lights or the gas for customers unable to pay their bills.

All city council members said at a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday night they’re willing to consider a resolution calling on the governor to enact a moratorium on utility disconnections.

Council member Jeff Crabill said the resolution would also declare utility shutoffs as a pandemic safety risk because they would hamper efforts for virus containment and contact tracing.

“I’m proposing this now because utility shutoffs started again and we’re still in a pandemic,” Crabill said.

The resolution would also call for passage of the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The council will consider the measure at future meeting, perhaps as soon as next week.

Monday’s discussion on utility shutoffs came a week after elected leaders decided the city government would hold off on shutting off water service for non-payment of bills.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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