(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, an electric utility shall not charge a low-income residential customer or applicant a fee, charge, or penalty for late payment of any utility bill or invoice. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, as of January 1, 2023, a natural gas utility shall not charge a low-income residential customer or applicant a fee, charge, or penalty for late payment of any utility bill or invoice.
     (b) As used in this Section, “low-income residential customer or applicant” means: (i) a member of a household at or below 80% of the latest median household income as reported by the United States Census Bureau for the most applicable community or county; (ii) a member of a household at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; (iii) a person who is eligible for the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; (iv) a person who is eligible to participate in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP or PIP Plan) as defined in the Energy Assistance Act; or (v) a person who is eligible to receive Lifeline service as defined in the Universal Service Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985.