ELECTRIC RATE ASSISTANCE

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates tax credits, for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2007 and on or before December 30, 2010, for the cost of electricity purchased from AmerenIP, AmerenCILCO, or AmerenCIPS for residential or small-business purposes. Sets forth the amounts of the credits. Requires the electricity providers to send a statement of the annual electrical costs to customers. Provides that the credits may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Requires that, from the tax proceeds, $4,066,667 must be transferred each month to the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund to be used by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the purposes of LIHEAP, established under the Energy Assistance Act of 1989. Amends the Election Code. Requires that the election of commissioners of the Illinois Commerce Commission be included on general election ballots. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides for a Commerce Commission consisting of 5 members. Provides that an electric utility must credit customers for times of service disruption by reducing the customer's bill at the end of that month proportionately to the length of time of the service disruption. Provides that the rates of residential customers with all electric residential service shall not be increased prior to January 1, 2008. Provides that residential customers may participate in a deferral program for electric rates that increase subsequent to the mandatory transition period, and prohibits an electric utility from charging interest on the deferred amount. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.