As the weather heats up, many Illinois families are learning they won't receive help to pay their cooling bills this summer.
Two weeks into the new fiscal year, Illinois lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner still haven't reached an agreement on the budget. That means funding for the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, has been suspended.
"Right now, we're not anticipating having a cooling program due to the state budget," said Lakisha Randle, a community service supervisor with Project NOW in Rock Island.
Last year, the agency helped nearly 1,300 people through the program.
Randle said she has received many calls again this summer, and it's getting tough to turn them away.
"It's sad, because people are calling here and their electricity is completely off. It's hot outside, you know? I feel bad for people that have children, or if they have asthma or a condition that's triggered by heat. That's sad, very sad," said Randle.
Project NOW organizers are encouraging people to sign a petition and contact their state legislators in hopes of restoring the cooling assistance program next year.
The organization is also giving away fans to people who are disabled, over the age of 60, or have children under the age of 6. Anyone who would like to donate a fan or make a monetary donation for their purchase may do so at 418 -19th Street, Rock Island.