Rep. Syed Makes Local Voices Heard, Delivers New Law to Help Modest-Income Families Make Ends Meet

PALATINE, Ill. – State Rep. Nabeela Syed’s meeting with a local resident in need has led to a new law helping modest-income families make ends meet. Syed’s office worked closely with a constituent who identified a loophole that was unfairly disqualifying some individuals from receiving home-energy assistance, and the legislation Syed introduced as a result is now law.

“I received a letter from a member of our community with a newspaper article highlighting that these cases were falling through the cracks in the Illinois housing assistance system, and this measure directly addresses that problem,” Syed said. “I was sent to Springfield to make sure all Illinoisans get a fair deal, and this measure represents progress towards that goal.”

Syed introduced House Bill 4141, which guarantees qualifying residents access to Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds, even in cases where they are receiving other
forms of housing assistance that lowers their housing payments below the percentage-of-income threshold. This is the result of a constituent coming forward to share their problem with Syed.
This bill passed the House and Senate with unanimous bipartisan support and was just signed into law.

State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, carried the bill in the Senate.

“It is important to continue our efforts to ensure resources, such as energy we use in our homes, are affordable, equitable and accessible,” Villivalam said. “This law expands eligibility for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program so no one has to go without an essential resource.”