PERCENTAGE OF INCOME PAY PLAN

Amends the Public Utilities Act and the Energy Assistance Act of 1989 to create the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. Provides for the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to establish a percentage of income payment plan for utility service to operate in conjunction with the energy assistance program. Provides that eligible households shall be required to pay not more than 6% of the residents' annual income for gas and electric service. Requires the Commerce Commission to establish a universal service surcharge to be imposed upon gas and electric service provided to consumers in Illinois. Provides for the moneys received under the surcharge to be deposited into the Universal Service Surcharge Fund, a special fund in the State Treasury. Provides for moneys in the fund to be used, subject to appropriation, to pay a provider of gas or electricity the amount by which the cost of gas or electricity provided to consumers participating in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan exceeded the amount paid by those participants to the provider for that gas or electricity. Amends the State Finance Act to add the Universal Service Surcharge Fund to the list of special funds.