Illinois § 5

§ 5.

Duties and Powers. (1) The Small Business Utility Advocate shall have the following duties: (a) Represent, protect and promote the interests of the small business utility customers of this State. All actions of the Advocate under this Act shall be directed toward such duty. Nothing in this Act shall prevent the Advocate from cooperating with the Illinois Citizens Utility Board or from giving due consideration to the general economic development of this State. (b) Inform and educate, insofar as possible, all small business utility customers about the duty and mission of the Small Business Utility Advocate. (c) Work in cooperation with existing state agencies in acting, to the extent possible, in an ombudsman capacity for the small business utility customer. Duties in this regard include, but shall not be limited to, providing information and assistance with regard to utility conservation measures available to small business; notify the small business community regarding proceedings before the Commission, appropriate federal regulatory agencies, the courts, and other public bodies; and provide advice to small businesses on any matter with respect to utility service. (d) Actively solicit, to the extent possible, the opinions, comments and needs of small business with regard to utility service. (e) Report to the Governor, the General Assembly, the Commission, the Citizens Utility Board, small businesses and the public on a periodic basis but in no case less frequent than on the first Monday in December, any findings, conclusions or recommendations for both legislative or administrative action. Such reports to the small businesses pursuant to this Section shall be in a manner as deemed acceptable to the Advocate. (f) Perform and discharge other duties that may be delegated to the Advocate by the Governor or prescribed by law. (2) The Small Business Utility Advocate shall have the following powers: (a) Adopt rules and regulations as are necessary for the effective representation, protection and education of the small business utility customer, including any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the intent of this Act. (b) To employ a deputy advocate or deputy advocates and other such employees and advisors as the Advocate finds necessary and to fix their compensation. (c) To enter into contracts, commitments or agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of his duties and the execution of his powers under this Act. (d) To accept, solicit and expend gifts, grants, appropriations and loans for the operation of his office except the Advocate may not accept any gifts, grants or loans directly or indirectly from any public utility. (e) To intervene as a party or otherwise participate on behalf of small business utility customers in any proceeding which affects the interest of small business utility customers. (f) To represent, with the cooperation of the Attorney General where constitutionally required, the interests of small business utility customers before the Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the courts and other public bodies, including the General Assembly. (g) To provide information and advice to small business utility customers on any matter with respect to utility service, including but not limited to information and advice on benefits, methods and types of financing available to small businesses for energy conservation. The Advocate may also inform small businesses of the aspects of the "Small Business Utility Deposit Relief Act". (Source: P.A. 84-686.)