Aldermen are questioning a Peoples Gas policy that leaves customers who pay their bills late with black marks on their credit reports.
Customers who owe more than $100 and are more than 60 days late on a payment are reported to a credit agency, according to Rod Sierra, spokesman for Integrys Energy Group, Inc., which owns the gas company. That can lead to difficulty getting a mortgage or car loan, especially during the current credit crunch.
Ald. Fredrenna Lyle (D-6) demanded that the company reconsider the policy during a City Council Energy and Environment Committee meeting yesterday.
“This is even more important now, when we’re seeing everyone’s credit is getting tightened because of what’s happened on Wall Street,” said Lyle.
Ald. George Cardenas (D-12) agreed with his colleague.
“Someone could have a bad mark on their credit report for up to seven years, all because of a missed payment of 60 or 100 dollars,” he said.
Dispatches from Chicago's south side.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Aldermen take aim at Peoples Gas credit policy
Chi-Town Daily News:
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This is Frank from the Daily News. Thanks for the links! I love the blog. I'll put you into our rss feeds.
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