[southlake_hoosier]

I am open to any ideas. Thanks for reading.

[cripplecreek]

Does the salvation army help with this sort of thing?

[OldFriend]

Call the power company and explain the situation.

There may be consumer advocates in their city that can help.

Perhaps calling the local newspaper would help too.

[handy old one]

Get this out to the local new org. and people will help or ComEd wil cave.

[Pondman88]

contact the ute directly and make your case. Local churches. good luck.

[Woman on Caroline Street]

The United Way, maybe?

[BRITinUSA]

Have you tried this link--->

http://www.exeloncorp.com/ourcompanies/comed/comedres/customer_service/payment_assistance_programs/

[Cicero]

You might also speak to your local pastor or your brother-in-law's pastor if you are a member of a church. Charity should go to those in need, not necessarily to certified members of the "poor," and this is a very specific problem. Nearly everyone needs a hand from time to time.

[patton]

Used to work for a power company (not this one) - you would be amazed what they will do to help.

Call them, ask to talk to their emergency relief office.

[southlake_hoosier]

Have contacted ComEd and local Chicago Media.

[Senator Bedfellow]

LIHEAP

[ErnBatavia]

See if the utility has an "Ombudsman"...if so, request that a personal visit be made to the home.

[HamiltonJay]

I would try Salvation Army and the local churches.

The idea to take it to the media would be a good idea as well.

[HamiltonJay]

I would try Salvation Army and the local churches.

The idea to take it to the media would be a good idea as well.

[TXBSAFH]

Prayers from TX

[John W]

$2600 overdue?Where do you find a utility that lets it go that long?

[Gay State Conservative]

In Massachusetts,electric companies cannot turn off the electricity,between November and March,in any residence that has a heating system that requires electricity to work(which,I think,includes most heating systems).

Does Illinois have such a law? Or do they have a similar law which protects people over a certain age (if this would apply here)?

Failing that,the power company could be threatened with lots of very bad publicity in the local press if it carries out their threat.

I hope everything turns out OK!!

[Humidston]

Call in your local TV station. Give them permission to air the couple's problem. Someone will step up!

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

There are agencies and charities that help ion this type of situation. Contact the county welfare office and they will direct you to the right people.

National Charities like Salvation Army and United Way may help you will have to contact them

Prayers for you and your family. Good Luck.

Pinging the list for suggestions.

[Tarantulas]

Most power companies will pay part of a customer's bill if they're going through hard times, but they do expect the customer to come up with some money too. $2600 sounds like many months of non-payment. At some point they will shut off the power if they don't get some money. I would suggest taking up a collection among your family and giving the power company $100 or so, just to show them a good faith effort to pay.

I work for a power company. They're not heartless bastards, but they do need a constant income so they can pay their employees.

[OkieDoke]

After spelling out the circumstances to the billing supervisor, see if they will set up another account under a different name, and agree they can shut the new account off if you miss a single payment.

Or try searching the Illinois state web-site, find `statutes' and see if public providers like ConEd must extend some sort of dispensation/allowances for users with special needs, e.g. does she require oxygen, use a machine that requires electricity?
Or contact one of those *$@!%&# lawyers at your local legal services organization.