Workshops will offer consumers tips to weatherize their homes and will give away 10,000 free ENERGY STAR thermostats to help reduce energy costs

Keep Warm Illinois Toll-Free Hotline 1-877-411-WARM now available

CHICAGO – Continuing his efforts to inform and educate Illinois residents about rapidly rising energy prices, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced an important partnership that will provide vital home weatherization and energy conservation information at hardware stores throughout the state.  On Saturday, November 19th, Menards retail stores will host Keep Warm Illinois Day where, throughout the day, consumers can ask the experts how they can utilize many readily available practices and products to reduce their home energy bills.  People can now also call the Keep Warm Illinois hotline, 1-877-411-WARM, for information about energy conservation, energy assistance or to find a home energy savings workshop near them.  The hotline is available Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. 

“It’s important to get a head start on winter and take steps to prepare for higher energy bills, whether you dial down the thermostat or take easy steps to weatherize your home.  Illinois residents have access to workshops throughout the state at Menards stores and local community college where you can learn new tips to ensure your energy bill is more affordable,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

The events will take place at all of the 48 Menards locations across Illinois as part of the Governor’s Keep Warm Illinois campaign.  A full listing of the workshop times and locations is available at www.KeepWarm.Illinois.gov or call 1-877-411-WARM.  Designated Menards team members will offer workshops with tips for consumers on home weatherization and energy conservation.  At least 10,000 free ENERGY STAR programmable thermostats (a $25 to $29 value) will be given to workshop participants, as long as supplies last.  Programmable thermostats are an easy, immediate step homeowners can take to save approximately 3 percent on their energy costs for every degree the thermostat is lowered, with an average of $100 savings in the first year of use. 

“Menards is proud to be a participant with Gov. Blagojevich’s Keep Warm Illinois winter savings promotion.  It is an honor to be able to offer free programmable thermostats to the residents of Illinois to offset their rising heating costs, especially this year when they are projected to be at a record high,” said Dan Sweeney, Electrical Buyer at Menards.

In addition to the Menards events, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has also scheduled dozens of energy savings workshops at community colleges throughout the state.  Coupons for the free programmable thermostats will also be distributed at these events.  To learn more about these workshops or tips to save energy, visit www.KeepWarm.Illinois.gov or call the Keep Warm Illinois hotline at 1-877-411-WARM.

“The winter heating season will likely bring much higher heating bills, and Gov. Blagojevich has launched workshops throughout the state to ensure Illinois residents can easily make their bills more affordable,” said DCEO Director Jack Lavin.  “Gov. Blagojevich and I encourage all Illinoisans – especially senior citizens and those with lower incomes – to attend a workshop and learn how to keep warm this winter while saving money.”

The 48 Menard stores taking part in the Keep Warm Illinois Day include:

City Batavia Bolingbrook Bradley Bridgeview Carpentersville Champaign Chicago Chicago Crestwood Crystal Lake Danville Dolton Effingham Elgin Forsyth Fox Lake Freeport Glendale Heights Gurnee Hanover Park Hillside Hoffman Estates Homewood Joliet Kewanee Lombard Machesney Park Matteson Melrose Park Moline Morton Grove Mt. Prospect Mundelein Naperville Normal Palatine Pekin Peoria Peru Rockford Schaumburg Skokie Springfield Sterling Sycamore Tinley Park West Chicago Yorkville 1800

Address 300 North Randall Road 290 North Bolingbrook Drive 1260 Christine Drive 9140 South Harlem Avenue 2303 Randall Road 620 Town Center Boulevard 2601 North Clyborne Avenue 4626 Diversy Avenue 13120 Rivercrest Drive 4850 Route 14 36 East West Newell Road 14975 Lincoln Avenue 1100 Avenue of Mid-America 825 South Randall Road 1450 Koester Drive 1400 South US Highway 12 1211 West Galena Avenue 521 East North Avenue 6401 Grand Avenue 900 Irving Park Road 101 North Wolf Road #4 2300 West Higgins Road 17545 Halsted Street 2450 West Jefferson Street 157 West South 1000-32 Rowling Road 10253 North 2nd Street 21630 Cicero Avenue 8311 West North Avenue 4100 10th Street Drive Grove 6301 Oakton Street 740 East Randall Road 120 Oak Creek Plaza 715 Fort Hill Drive 200 North Greenbriar Drive 1775 North Rand Road 3535 Court Street 2211 West Pioneer Parkway 5353 Mahoney Drive 2001 South Perryville Road 2300 West Higgins Road 6001 Oakton Street 3325 S. Veterans Parkway 3800 East Lincolnway 1825 Mercantile Drive Park 6851 159th Street Chicago 220 West North Avenue 1800 Marketview Drive

Gov. Blagojevich launched the comprehensive Keep Warm Illinois campaign in response to the spike in energy prices that is affecting consumers nationwide.  State agencies are coordinating their efforts to ensure Illinois residents have the information and resources they need to better manage their home energy costs.  Efforts include the Web site, www.KeepWarm.Illinois.gov, that offers energy saving tips, a web-based tool to conduct home energy audits, information on energy assistance programs and schedules for home weatherization and energy assistance events.  Residents can also call the Keep Warm Illinois hotline at 1-877-411-WARM to learn how to conserve energy and apply for energy assistance.  To ensure that Illinoisans have the assistance they need with skyrocketing energy costs, Gov. Blagojevich also continues to call upon President Bush and Congressional leaders to approve additional federal funding for programs that help low-income families pay their utility bills and weatherize their homes.