Soaring heat bills leave many shivering (up 40% around Chicago region)

[sabra]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0512230217dec23,1,5399171.story

Soaring heat bills leave many shivering
Cost of natural gas is up 40% from last year

Andrew Rimmer, a 63-year-old retired factory worker, lives alone in Chicago's Austin neighborhood and barely makes ends meet on $1,100 a month. But a week ago, Rimmer tore open his gas bill and looked at the balance, $430--double what he paid this time last year.

"I almost fell down," said Rimmer. "I wondered where the money was going to come from. I couldn't pay it."

Heating bills began arriving in mailboxes around Chicago, and nearly everyone--rich and poor, city and suburban--is shocked to see the balance due.

Nicor Gas says the average gas bill is up 40 percent this month compared with last December. Skyrocketing prices and record-low temperatures have delivered a powerful punch to pocketbooks around the region.