Protesters rallied at NIPSCO's District Office in Hammond
A lovely day to protest high winter heating bills
Contributed By: The 411 News
Primary election candidates say it's a rally for humanity and community
This is about humanity, this is about community, Kevin Mejia told the crowd gathered outside the NIPSCO district office in Hammond, Sunday afternoon.
He was there to vent along with the crowd who brought their homemade signs to show their discontent with the high winter heating bills from the Northern Indiana Public Service Company.
It was a lovely day for a rally and protest, made easier by coffee, pizza, pastries and the bright sun to withstand the below freezing temperature.
“We have to start, you know, supporting each other as a community. It doesn't matter what party you are – Republican, Democrat. You guys have to start thinking about the seniors, about the veterans,” said Mejia, one of the organizers of the protest.
“Put pressure on your elected officials; that's the thing that's going to get this resolved. Don't let them get away with it,” Mejia said, adding “Register to vote. Vote for humanity.”
Rafael Manzo, another organizer, and Mejia are on the ballot in this year’s primary elections.
Organizers of Sunday’s protest of NIPSCO’s high winter heating bills Rafael Manzo, left, and Kevin Mejia
“Regardless of party, we need to ask candidates in every single election in the state ‘do you stand with the people against the corporations,’” Manzo said. “We need to ask them about these NIPSCO prices.”
“If they do not support the people against this monopoly that is making our elderly people and working class starve, they do not deserve your vote in the primary or general election,” Manzo said.
The National Weather Service said northwest Indiana and the Chicago area hadn’t recorded zero-temperature days since 2022.
This winter’s brutally cold weather with continuous below-zero days have skyrocketed bills.
Some in the crowd came to the microphone telling of utility bills with 50-100 percent increases. Begrudgingly, some accepted their usage had increased, but questioned NIPSCO’s delivery fee. “Why is the delivery fee greater than the usage fee?” many asked.
Adrian Santos, the North Township Trustee said he understood the impact of high utility bills.
“I see it every day in my office. The impact on these people is having to decide whether they're going to eat at night or they're going to pay their NIPSCO. I see seniors coming in crying at my office on these bills,” he said. “Something's got to give. It starts right here. What you all are doing here today, coming together for one cause is exactly how you're going to get them to listen.”
“I encourage you to keep standing together, because the squeaky wheel gets the oil,” Santos said.
Rafael (Rafi) Manzo, Jr is a Democratic candidate in 3 races: Lake County Convention Delegate, District 1; Calumet Township Board Member; and CAL 06 Precinct Committeeman.
Kevin Mejia is a Democratic candidate in 2 races: EC 08 Precinct Committeeman and Lake County Convention Delegate, District 18.
Story Posted:02/02/2026
|
