Coal City waiving late payment fee

THE VILLAGE OF Coal City is suspending late payment fees and utility shutoffs, at least temporarily, to assist residents and businesses struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

By: 
Ann Gill
Editor

To assist residents and businesses struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the village of Coal City is suspending late payment fees and penalties for past due water/sewer bills.
The temporary suspension was not specifically noted in the utility bills that went out this month, but a close look at the bi-monthly charges indicate the village will not be collecting a late fee if the current amount isn’t paid by May 1.
Most utility users likely didn’t take a close look at the amounts printed on the blue paper after seeing a $25 Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry gift certificate that was enclosed with the statement.
The utility bill notes the amount to be remitted by the due date and the past due amount. But for this payment cycle, the amounts are the same. By code, utility users are assessed a penalty equal to 10% of the principal amount owed when paying past the due date. Accounts that remain delinquent are subject to added penalties and service interruptions.
The village announced last month that at the request of Gov. JB Pritzker and under a recommendation from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to place a moratorium on utility shutoffs, the village would not be turning off water for non-payment, at least temporarily.
Village Administrator Matt Fritz acknowledged the suspension is a way to provide some relief to residents and businesses experiencing financial and economic stress due to the pandemic, but he encourages residents to pay their bill on time.
Fritz cautions users from accumulating large balances that will eventually have to be repaid.
Even if a resident or business can’t make the full payment at this time, a partial payment would help lower the balance and relieve further stresses once the suspension has been lifted.
And, the $25 gift certificate that came with the April statement can be used to pay a portion of the utility bill.