Trouble with bills? Carpentersville offers pay plans

Times are tough and the Carpentersville staff knows it. So, they're trying to help their residents who are having a tough time paying bills. Whether it is an ambulance or a water bill, the village has options for those who are stretched to the limit and in danger of having a service cutoff.

With the village's water bills already in many residents mailboxes, the village has posted a notice on its Web site, vil.carpentersville.il.us, that a payment plan may be available to residents who are struggling.

Village Manager Craig Anderson said residents should contact the village as soon as they receive a water bill that they may not be able to pay. There are about two months between the initial bill and the absolute final notice before water is turned off.

If residents approach the village sooner rather than later, a payment plan could be worked out so that by the time the final notice is posted, the water bill would effectively be paid off, without the penalties that accompany a late payment or the cancellation of services.

"We have never publicized this before because there really wasn't much of a need,"Anderson said. "We would much rather keep the water on, and so would the resident. It costs the village time and money to turn it off."

But Anderson urges residents to notify the village as soon as possible. There are fees and charges should the resident fail to pay the bill and the water is turned off. So, it would behoove residents contact the village early before the threat of shut off emerges.

The village billing cycle covers three months and the first water bills we sent out earlier this month.

Another option, though not encouraged, is to pay the bill online with a credit card.

"We wouldn't encourage people to take on more debt, but that's an option people might not be aware of," Anderson said.

Payment plans are not limited to water bills. Anderson said the village has set up a payment plan for a resident who had an ambulance that insurance did not fully cover.

Anderson said the resident wanted to cover the difference, so the village set up a payment plan.

Contact the village's finance department at (847) 426-3439.

State steps in: Similarly, if you or someone you know is having difficulty paying a gas bill, you may qualify for financial assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP is administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and helps eligible low-income households pay for energy services.

Eligibility is based on a number of factors including family size, income and location. For more information call (877) 411-9276 or go to keepwarm.illinois.gov.

Keeping warm: It's cold out there and for those who need a little warming up, Carpentersville has its warming centers open. The warming centers are at village hall, 1200 LW Besinger Drive, and the village's fire stations. For more information call village hall at (847) 426-3439.