BURBANK – State Senator Mike Porfirio is encouraging all eligible people to apply to this year’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help with utility costs. Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 2 through Aug. 15, 2024.

“This program helps minimize the financial hardships that energy bills often place on families, especially during the winter months when rates increase” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I strongly encourage all residents to take advantage of this program and ensure they have access to affordable energy.”

Energy bill assistance offered through the Help Illinois Families Program in program year 2023 will provide $237 million to eligible families to assist with natural gas, propane and electricity bills. Last year's LIHEAP funding — which was available from September 2022 through May 2023 — provided assistance to a record number of 311,214 households.

Beginning Oct. 2, eligible families can apply to this year’s program by visiting HelpIllinoisFamilies.com or by visiting their local agency (a list of partners throughout the state can be found here). Families can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages.

“By reducing the monetary burden of energy costs, families can allocate their resources to other essential needs,” said Porfirio. “It is important that all families in our communities have equitable access to essential services. This program is a step in the right direction for reducing the disparities in energy access and quality of life for residents.”

All families who meet the qualifications and provide proper documentation will receive support until funding is exhausted. Families who earn up to two times the federal poverty level are eligible to receive support through LIHEAP.

BURBANK– A measure championed by State Senator Mike Porfirio this year expanded the Residential Sound Insulation Program Advisory Committee by two members, and recently, Senate President Don Harmon appointed Porfirio as one of these members.

“The goal with expanding the committee was to provide additional insight for municipalities, ensuring that affected areas have adequate representation,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I’m grateful to President Harmon for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I look forward to being able to serve Cook County residents in a new way.”

Municipalities can establish Residential Sound Insulation Programs to mitigate the impacts of aircraft noise and pollution on neighboring homes by replacing residential windows and monitoring the off-gassing of those replacements. At least 10% of window replacements must go to homes that are considered in extreme hardship.

The committee—with the changes Porfirio’s legislation enacted—is comprised of 11 members who monitor the various municipal programs and have the authority to determine which homes contain windows or doors that cause offensive odors and are thus eligible for replacement.

“The city of Chicago has already sound insulated more than 21,000 homes near O’Hare and Midway airports,” said Porfirio. “I’m excited for the opportunity to continue this trend and improve the quality of living for community members in these highly impacted areas.”

Porfirio’s appointment to the RSIP Advisory Committee is effective immediately and expires January 2025.

BURBANK—State Senator Mike Porfirio was appointed to serve on multiple Veterans committees by Senate President Don Harmon.

 Porfirio continues to serve in the Navy Reserve and is an Afghanistan War Veteran, where he served as an advisor to the Afghan Police from 2013-2014. Additionally, Porfirio deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pakistani Earthquake Relief efforts and Humanitarian missions in Central and South America.

“It’s an honor to represent the veteran community on these committees and I appreciate President Harmon’s confidence in me,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “Veteran suicide is a national emergency and Illinois’ efforts in breakthrough therapies to prevent veteran suicide needs to remain a priority.”

Porfirio was appointed to the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisor Council. This council was created to support clinical access to and training for medication-assisted United States Food and Drug Administration breakthrough therapies for veteran suicide prevention.

Porfirio was also appointed to the Interagency Advisory Committee on Hiring Veterans. The IACHV supports veteran employment and focuses on topics related to recruiting, hiring, acclimation, retention and promotion of veterans, reservists, and National Guardsmen in the workforce.

Additionally, Porfirio will serve on the Veterans Advisory Council. IVAC gives veterans a voice in government and provides information on veterans’ benefits to those who need them.  

“We need to recruit veterans to return to Illinois after their service or come to Illinois and make it their home,” said Porfirio. “Transitioning after military service can be difficult, and I’ll continue to fight to provide veterans the best support and resources possible.”

All three appointments are effective immediately and will not expire until January 2025.

BURBANK—State Senator Mike Porfirio announced the opening of a Disaster Recovery Center at Morton College in Cicero to assist residents with applying for financial relief following this summer’s storms and flooding.

“The recent storms caused immeasurable damage for many families who don’t know how they’ll get back on their feet,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I encourage all community members who have not applied online for assistance to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Town of Cicero finalized the opening of the DRC on Tuesday, Aug. 29. The DRC, run by FEMA, is a location where residents who suffered flood damage can apply in person for Individual Assistance and Small Business Administration assistance, if they have not already applied online.

A Disaster Recovery Center may be able to help residents:

• Apply for FEMA assistance
• Learn the status of your FEMA application
• Understand any letters or contacts you get from FEMA
• Learn more about additional disaster assistance programs
• Find housing and rental assistance information
• Get answers to questions or resolve problems
• Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance
• Learn about Small Business Administration programs

“Thank you to all the local, state and federal officials and agencies who have assisted our residents during this time of need,” said Porfirio. “With the opening of the Disaster Recovery Center, we can start taking the right steps to rebuild our community back stronger than ever.”

The Cicero Disaster Recovery Center is located within Morton College at 3801 S. Central Ave., and is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.