Village resumes water shutoffs
Changes announced on social media July 5; Harvey extends suspension of disconnections
Dolton residents will need to make sure their water bills are paid if they hope to keep the utility running in their households amid the pandemic, as the village resumed shutoffs Tuesday following more than three months of leniency.
The village announced the change July 5 via Facebook, noting residents at least two cycles behind on their bills might be eligible for assistance through the village’s water bill relief fund.
Giavonni Nickson, Dolton’s director of communications and external affairs, said the change was made “to be mindful of sustainability” as it relates to the village’s budget.
She noted that following Mayor Riley Rogers’ initial decision to suspend shutoffs until the end of March, more information led to an extension.
“The order was extended to provide some relief to the community,” Nickson said.
But as the state has moved into Phase 4 and more people have returned to work, Nickson said Dolton, too, needed to take a realistic and responsible look at returning to closer-to-normal operations. She said she did not immediately have numbers available regarding how many households the change would impact.
She said that New Community Church stepped up to provide community relief funding. Residents in need can apply while funds last between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Village Hall,
14122 Chicago Road. For more information, call 708201-3295.
The city of Harvey has extended its suspension of water shutoffs and late fees until Aug. 1. Residents have not accrued late fees on their water bills or been subject to water shutoffs because of lack of payment since March, according to Corean Davis, Mayor Christopher Clark’s chief of staff.
“Although portions of the state are reopening, the virus is still prevalent,” Davis said. “To minimize further financial strain and continue to defend against the virus, the city has decided it was best to put a moratorium on water shutoffs until August.”
The city also is referring residents to programs that can assist with payments, Davis said.
ComEd, which provides power for much of northern Illinois, originally suspended shutoffs through
June 1, along with waiving new late payment charges and reconnection fees. In May, it extended that order through July 1. In June, the company extended that order again until Aug. 1 or Phase 4 in Illinois, whichever came first. Illinois entered Phase 4 at the end of June.
The electric company also announced in a June news release it would provide bill assistance for eligible low-income customers, flexible payment options, and the waiver of certain deposits and fees for an extended period of time.
For more information on those options, visit ComEd.com/CARE or call 800-334-7661.
In March, Calumet City also announced suspension of water shutoffs through May 1, as well as the waiving of late fees for March and April. Mayor Michelle Qualkinbush did not return requests for more information.
Bill Jones is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.