Cook County Winter 2026–27 Shutoff Protections: How to Keep Your Heat On This Season
If a disconnection notice from Peoples Gas, Nicor, North Shore Gas, or ComEd just landed in your mailbox, take a breath. Illinois has some of the stronger winter shutoff rules in the country. The catch is that most of them only protect you if you take a step first, like enrolling in an assistance program or saying yes to a payment plan.
This guide walks through the rules that matter in Chicago and suburban Cook County for the 2026–27 heating season, the dates to circle, and exactly who to call. Details reflect what the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), CEDA, and the utilities publish as of October 2026.
The Short Version
December 1 through March 31 is the winter protection period for gas and electric heating customers.
Some households can't be shut off at all for nonpayment during that window, but only if they're in the right program or category.
Everyone else can only be disconnected after the utility offers a payment plan with no more than 10% down, and you turn it down.
Any day the forecast hits 32°F or colder, gas and electric shutoffs for nonpayment are off the table for residential heating customers, even outside the winter window.
CEDA's 2026–27 energy assistance opened October 1 for priority households. Everyone else can apply starting November 1.
Who Can't Be Disconnected This Winter
From December 1 through March 31, state law bars gas and electric utilities from disconnecting these households for nonpayment when gas or electricity runs the main heating system:
LIHEAP and PIPP participants. This is the big one. If you get state energy assistance, you're protected.
Electric space-heating customers of large utilities like ComEd.
Service members and veterans who have told their utility about their status.
Active-duty service members, whose gas or electric service at the home they lived in before deployment can't be cut for nonpayment (this one applies year-round).
The ICC notes these protections don't cover disconnections for theft, tampering, or safety problems. If you're a veteran, call your utility and tell them. The protection only kicks in once they know.
If You're Not in One of Those Groups
You still have real protection. During the winter window, your utility can't disconnect your heat for nonpayment unless all of the following happen:
It offers you a deferred payment arrangement (DPA) with a down payment of no more than 10% of what you owe.
It gives you contact information for public and private aid agencies.
You refuse the payment plan.
It meets all of the state's notice rules.
Under the ICC's winter rule, the utility also has to wait six business days after giving you that notice, so you have time to set up a plan or apply for help.
Here's a detail people miss: normally a utility can refuse a new payment plan if you broke one in the last 12 months. That rule is suspended during the winter period. So even if a past plan fell apart, ask again.
The 32-Degree Rule (and Other Timing Limits)
Illinois rules ban shutting off residential gas or electric heat for nonpayment on any day when the National Weather Service forecast for the next 24 hours calls for 32°F or below. The ban also applies the day before a weekend or holiday when the forecast drops to freezing during that weekend or holiday.
A few more limits from the ICC's disconnection rules:
The utility has to wait at least 10 days after sending a disconnection notice, and a notice stays valid for 45 days.
It must place a warning call at least 48 hours before a scheduled shutoff if it has your number.
It can't disconnect a residential customer after noon on Friday, on weekends, or on holidays, unless it's ready to take your payment and reconnect you that same day.
A Medical Certificate Buys You 60 Days
If someone in your home has a serious medical condition, ask your doctor about a medical certificate. Under ICC rules, a utility can't disconnect service for 60 days after receiving a valid certificate, as long as your account qualifies. Peoples Gas lists its medical certificate process on its payment assistance page. Use those 60 days to set up a plan and apply for help.
Get Into LIHEAP Early: CEDA's 2026–27 Dates
In Cook County, including Chicago, energy assistance runs through the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA). Because LIHEAP participants get the strongest winter protection, applying is the single best move you can make.
Priority period, starting October 1, 2026: households with someone 60 or older, someone with a disability, children 5 and under, or anyone already disconnected or about to be.
Open enrollment, starting November 1, 2026: all income-eligible households.
Deadline: first come, first served through August 13, 2027, or until funds run out.
If you're disconnected or in danger of it, CEDA says to apply through a Partner Intake Site so your case is expedited. Its Reconnection Assistance can pay up to $2,000 to prevent a shutoff or restore heat or electric service.
Two things to know:
PIPP (the percentage-of-income plan) is closed to new customers. Current participants can keep it by recertifying and paying on time.
Renters with heat included in rent may still qualify for a cash benefit.
Have Social Security numbers or ITINs for your household (you can still apply without one), plus proof of gross income for the last 30 days. Call CEDA at (800) 571-2332 or start on CEDA's utility assistance page.
New Discounts That Lower the Bill Itself
This is the part that changed most recently. Illinois utilities now offer income-based monthly discounts, and they stack with LIHEAP grants.
Peoples Gas Low Income Discount: monthly bill credits from 5% to 83%, depending on income, for households up to 300% of the federal poverty level. If you're approved for LIHEAP through CEDA, Peoples Gas says you're signed up automatically. See the Peoples Gas tiers.
ComEd Low-Income Discount: launched January 1, 2026, with estimated savings of 5% to 80% on electric bills for households up to 300% of the poverty level ($96,450 for a family of four). LIHEAP approval enrolls you automatically. If you earn too much for LIHEAP but less than 300%, you can self-enroll through ComEd's Smart Assistance Manager at ComEd.com/SAM.
Peoples Gas Share the Warmth: up to $200 toward a past-due Peoples Gas balance, applied for through CEDA.
The ICC lists Nicor Gas and North Shore Gas discount tiers too, so suburban Cook customers aren't left out.
If Your Heat Is Already Off
Don't wait for a warm day. Call your utility and ask whether you qualify for reconnection for less than the full amount you owe; the ICC encourages exactly that. At the same time, contact a CEDA Partner Intake Site about Reconnection Assistance.
If the utility isn't following the rules, the ICC's Consumer Services counselors take informal complaints at 1-800-524-0795. The Help Illinois Families LIHEAP hotline is 1-833-711-0374. You can read the ICC's full summary of winter rules and discounts on its utility energy assistance page.
A Simple Winter Checklist
Apply for LIHEAP through CEDA as soon as your group is eligible.
If you're behind, call your utility and ask for a winter payment plan with 10% or less down.
Veterans and service members: tell your utility in writing.
Anyone with a medical condition: ask your doctor about a medical certificate.
Check your bill for the "Low-Income Discount" line once you're approved.
Save every notice and write down who you talked to and when.
Related Guides
Need help with rent, food, or other bills in the Chicago area? These guides can help:
Closing Thoughts
Falling behind on a heating bill in a Chicago winter isn't a personal failure. Prices have climbed and a lot of families are in the same spot. The protections are real, but you have to claim them: apply early, say yes to a fair payment plan, and put everything in writing.
If a shutoff date is getting close, make the calls today. Staying warm is worth the hold music.
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