2021 At Last! - Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative
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January 2021
2021 - At Last!
Let us all welcome 2021 and the hope and to provide service. Depending on each In this issue:
optimism that comes with the advent of a member’s specific energy use and load
new calendar year. factor, the rate impact will not only be - Member driven & community focused
different between rate classifications, but - Stay comfortable and safe
It is a safe bet to say that most of us are also within rate classifications. We will - Kyle Finley - a man of many hats
glad to see 2020 in the rear view mirror, provide more detailed information via our
- Electrical safety advocate
for various reasons. Of course, the main website and other means over the next
reason is the havoc caused for all of few months. - Margin Rebate
us by COVID-19. We still have at least
a portion, and maybe more, of 2021 Money Back
to get through before reaching Be on the lookout for a Margin
more normal conditions. The Rebate with this bill! Your BOD
recent news of upcoming also voted at the November
availability of vaccines has meeting to provide a
been welcome news. Despite substantial return of net
the unusual circumstances, operating margins to
we are striving to continue members to help as much
to provide safe and reliable as possible in these unusual
service for our members. times. The projected return - View your bill
of a total of $1 million via the - Make a payment
We made the decision to margin rebate will be based - Compare usage by month
close the office lobby to on your 11-month average use - Review known issues
members and the public in from January through November,
mid-November after the - Report an outage
prorated among the use
Governor implemented Tier MESSAGE FROM of all members. This is an - Update account information
3 mitigation measures. Our THE PRESIDENT immediate and tangible
expectation is that the lobby benefit of being a member-owner of your SmartHub is available online or
will remain closed through at least not-for-profit electric cooperative. through an application on your
mid-January, and possibly longer. Please cell phone. Sign up today!
contact us if we can provide assistance or We thank you for the trust you have
answer any questions you may have. placed in our employees to serve you. On
behalf of all your cooperative’s employees
2021 Rate Adjustment and directors, we wish you a happy, safe, Need help with your bill?
Your Board of Directors (BOD) voted and successful 2021. By working together,
at the November meeting to approve we can all look forward to a return to You may be eligible for assistance in
a 1% overall gross revenue increase to more normal conditions in 2021. paying your winter electric bill.
be effective with the March 2021 usage Contact your local community
billing (April bills). This decision is the Sincerely, action agency for more information,
culmination of over two years of review or give us a call at 800-824-5102 for
of the cost to provide service, along with a community action contact list.
the associated rate design study. There
are a few rate classifications that need
substantial adjustment relative to the cost Bob Hunzinger
Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative * 330 W. Ottawa * Paxton, IL * 60957
800-824-5102 * info@eiec.coop * www.eiec.coop * facebook.com/easternillini
EASTERN ILLINI EMPLOYEES
Member driven and community focused
EIEC member, Roger Gualandi (R), was selected as the winner of $250 for completing the
AIEC bi-annual survey. Cliff Miller (L), Gilman serviceman, made the check presentation.
For the past several
years, EIEC has worked
with local agencies to
provide holiday gifts
for children in need in
our area. Again, this
year, EIEC employees
generously donated
gifts to local families.
Shana Batte (L),
Gayle Ford (C), and
Brooke Carlson (R)
are some of the many
Eastern Illini Electric
Cooperative employees
who were part of
our commitment
to community at
Christmas.
2 Visit us Online at www.eiec.coop
BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
Stay comfortable and safe this winter
Baby, it’s cold outside! When you’re your home can
feeling chilly at home, there are several also help clear
budget-friendly ways you can keep sinuses, soften skin
comfortable without turning up the and improve sleep.
thermostat. Here are some easy ways
to stay cozy this winter. 5.Beyond adding
visual appeal to
1. Whether you are experiencing your home, area
extremely cold winter temps or rugs can also
you simply “run cold,” an electric provide extra
blanket can deliver quick warmth like insulation and a
a regular throw or blanket cannot. warm surface for
Electric blankets can include a variety your feet on cold
of features, like timers and dual winter days. Use
temperature settings (if your cuddle large area rugs in
buddy prefers less heat). This winter rooms where you
consider an electric blanket instead of spend the most
turning up the heat, and your energy time. You’ll enjoy
bill will thank you. the new colors Tis’ the season many are using their
and textures of the rug, and the additional space heaters to stay warm. Although
Before plugging in electric blankets, warmth will help keep your home comfortable and cozy, space heaters
check for any damage and inspect comfortable. can cause a significant increase in home
cords for frays, cracks, or cuts. Do fires. Below are a few safety tips when
not tuck electric blankets under the 6. Consider an electric fireplace. Electric using a space heater:
mattress and place nothing on top of fireplaces convert all of the energy they
the blanket while it’s in use, including produce into heat, ensuring they’re 100% • Place your space heater on a flat
comforters and bedspreads. It’s best energy efficient. They cost on average only level surface. Don’t put it on a shelf
not to allow pets to sleep on the 8-12 cents an hour to run, totaling about or in a high traffic area.
electric blanket. $25 a year. Because electric fireplaces do
not use natural resources, no combustible • Plug a space heater directly into
2. One of the easiest ways to stay byproducts are released into the an electric outlet. Avoid using an
cozy at home is to keep your feet atmosphere, reducing air pollution. extension cord.
warm. Our feet play a critical role
in regulating body temperature, so These are just a few ways you can stay • Never leave space heaters
when your feet are warm, your body cozy this winter without turning up the unattended.
automatically feels warmer. Try a pair thermostat. Don’t forget the hot chocolate!
• Only use space heaters that are
of comfortable wool socks or house
Here are a few more ideas: tested and certified in a lab.
slippers to stay toasty.
• Reverse your ceiling fan’s rotation to • Keep your space heater 3 feet away
3. On winter days when the sun is
push cool air upward and mix with the from anything, especially flammable
shining, take advantage and harness
rising heat. items, pets, and children.
natural warmth from sunlight. Open
all curtains, drapes and blinds in your • Replace your furnace filter. During the winter, the average U.S.
home to let the sunshine in – you’ll be
heating costs are somewhere between
able to feel the difference. • Have your heating system inspected
$500 and $1,500. Folks who heat their
annually by a HVAC professional.
homes with natural gas tend to be on
4. Another way to make your home
• Keep vents clear of dust and debris. the lower end of the price spectrum,
cozier is to use a humidifier. Cold air
while those who use propane or heating
doesn’t hold water vapor like warm
• Avoid changing thermostat oil end up on the higher end. Consider
air, so by adding humidity inside your
temperatures by more than 10 degrees these budget-friendly ways to stay cozy,
home, you can feel a little warmer. A
as it makes your furnace work harder. warm, and safe this winter.
favorable level of humidity inside
33
THE REAL MCCOY
Kyle Finley: a man of many hats
The research partnership between electric
cooperatives and the U.S. DOE, including
the national laboratories, is enabling
co-ops nationwide to increase their total
solar energy capacity, install cutting-edge
batteries for energy storage and microgrids,
develop data analytics tools and find new
ways to capture emissions from coal and
natural gas power plants.
This partnership gives electric co-ops access
to an amazing network of researchers,
including researchers at Carnegie Mellon
Kyle Finley is a man of many hats. The Finley’s have farmed in Vermilion and being involved in community and
That term is often associated with County for seven generations and Kyle’s church activities.
meaning a man of many talents. That son, Klayton, will make it the eighth
is true of Kyle. He is an accomplished generation. Together they farm 550 acres They have been blessed with two
farmer, devoted Christian, committed of corn and soybeans. sons, Chad who is an attorney in
husband, proud father, doting Glen Carbon, Illinois. He is married to
grandfather, skilled skier, and an Kyle can trace his family roots back to Heather and they have two children,
engaging speaker when it comes to Scotland, Ireland, and Bucks County, Nora and Audrick. Klayton, is a banker
sharing his experiences as a former Pennsylvania. The Finley’s have always had at Longview Bank and Trust. He is
electrical lineman. Kyle is a long-time the pioneer spirit. Descendants of Kyle’s married to Chelsee. They have two
Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative knew Daniel Boone and accompanied him children, Brooklyn and Blair.
member who worked for the co-op through the Cumberland Gap in 1769,
in the mid 90s. He also owned and blazing a trail known as the Warrior’s Kyle learned about electricity while
operated Live Line Demo for many Path. This is documented in The Heritage working for Woodrum Electric and
years and traveled the country giving of Vermilion County published by the White’s Electric in the late 1970s. He
educational demonstrations about Vermilion County Museum Society in 1973. joined Illinois Power in November
safety and electricity. 1981 and worked in the Danville area.
If you visit the Finley Farm in the summer He then worked for EIEC.
Kyle also owns many hats, and they months, you are likely to see Kyle’s wife,
adorn the ceiling of his office in Carol, out in the garden where they grow The business of electrical safety
Alvin, Illinois. The hats are a myriad sweet corn, lots, and lots of sweet corn. had been Kyle’s hobby, which he
of colors and represent seed corn They host sweet corn days where they eventually turned into a business
brands, special events, and favorite shuck, clean, cook, bag, and freeze sweet in 1998. Kyle was the owner of Live
sports teams. Kyle recently put on his corn with family and friends. Line Demo, an eye opening safety
John Deere hat as Safe Electricity was program for schools, fire and police
on his farm producing a video about Kyle met Carol on a church hay ride when departments, farm safety groups and
what to do in the event a piece of they were teens. According to Kyle, Carol organizations interested in promoting
farm machinery or any vehicle comes made the first move and asked Kyle to the safety especially around electricity.
in contact with a power line. Kyle Sadie Hawkins dance. They will celebrate About one third of his Live Line
gave expert advice on how to handle 40 years of marriage in April. Kyle says Demo business was working with fire
the situation. He emphasized to call he and Carol are Yin and Yang. Kyle is the departments and emergency response
911 and only exit the vehicle in the adventure seeker who lives to see the teams. Kyle educated these groups
event of fire and then keep both feet world and Carol is more of a home body about how to react quickly and safely
together and bunny hop away ASAP. who enjoys gardening, their grandchildren, to emergencies involving electricity.
4 Visit us Online at www.eiec.coop
EASTERN ILLINI MEMBER AND FORMER EMPLOYEE
Electrical safety advocate
Kyle used live electrical lines to show CO; Whistler, British Columbia; and the He has also been to southeastern India
how easily 7,200 volts of electricity can Swiss Alps. Some say Kyle is an adrenaline to do electrical work at an orphanage.
be transferred and kill people. junkie. Anyone who has ridden on the
back of a snowmobile with him will agree. Kyle and Carol have visited all 50
Kyle often gave demonstrations at co-op states. They are in the midst of
annual meetings, county fairs, and the Being self-employed afforded him the planning a trip to Prince Edwards
Farm Progress Show. Over the years, ability to control his schedule and plan Island and Nova Scotia soon. Kyle’s
he gave his presentation in 13 states. activities around planting and harvest game plan is ferry his motor home
His message was if it’s not grounded, season. In his farming operation, he from Canada to Bar Harbor, Maine.
it’s not dead. His record for number of embraces new and innovative farming
presentations in one month was practices. He leverages precision farming Kyle knows no strangers. He gladly
86 times. tools including yield data, auto steer, and opens his home and workshop and
field mapping to improve efficiencies on willingly shares information. When
Kyle lives life to the fullest. Some might the farm. Kyle uses more of a minimum meeting Kyle, you will always receive a
say his personal motto is Carpe Diem, tillage approach and has embraced the warm greeting and a smile. Kyle makes
seize the day! He wakes up with the use of vertical tillage. visitors feel like a relative returning to
knowledge that every new day provides his farm for the first time in years. Kyle
the possibility for something new and Kyle has an incessant drive to make Finley is the real McCoy. He takes pride
exciting to happen. an impact on the world. He doesn’t in his life’s work. He has compassion
like failure and expects the best out of for the less fortunate. He practices
He has bungee jumped the Nevis (400 himself and others. He is the chairman servant leadership. He has the utmost
feet) in Queenstown, New Zealand. He of Missions at CrossRoads Christian respect of the land. Kyle shows
snowmobiles in the Upper Peninsula of Church in Danville. He has traveled on five kindness to others and his love of God
Michigan, and he has skied at over 50 mission trips to the Dominican Republic. and family radiates from within.
ski resorts including Steamboat Springs,
5
HAPPY
NEW
YEAR!
Your Eastern Illini board of directors is pleased to
return over $1 million of 2020’s operating margins
to members in the form of a margin rebate on this
month’s bill.
Your credit is based on the amount of electricity
you used in 2020, and is the result of lower
operating costs during the year. This is a tangible
benefit of being a member of our cooperative!
You will find your credit amount as a line item on
your bill and it will be listed as MARGIN REBATE.
May 2021 bring you new beginnings and the best of everything.
6 Visit us Online at www.eiec.coop
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