Oblong pays off late water bills with COVID-19 relief funding

Oblong pays off late water bills with COVID-19 relief funding

Unemployment has been going up since the beginning of the pandemic.

For many folks who have lost their jobs... this means having a hard time paying their bills.

News 10 bureau chief gary brian tells us how one community is helping out.

Gar} "for some residents in oblong illinois the pandemic has made it difficult to keep up on their bills.

Now the town is stepping up to help out."

Oblong received funding from the southern illinois community foundation.

This funding targeting folks who were impacted by covid-19.

Town leaders decided to focus on utility assistance.

"for the village's part we had stopped the late payment fees.

And we had also not shut off utilities.

When they were so far behind."

Town leaders met to decide how to distribute the funding.

They took a look at all the late customers within the village of oblong.

Those town leaders then decided how they could take care of those who were the worst off.

In all 17 famalies had their bills cleared.

"some were months behind or hundreds of dollars in the hole.

And there again they were trying but they just couldn't catch up.

And this just came at a good time and we were able to help some of what we felt were our most in need."

Getting those bills paid off also helps oblong's bottom line.

But mayor teresa fielder says it's all about making sure folks in town are doing ok.

Gar} "in total oblong received $3,500 in funding.

Working from home in vincennes, gary brian news 10."