Activists, lawmakers protest proposed rate hikes by water utilities

(The Center Square) – More than 1.5 million Illinois consumers may soon be paying a lot more for water.

According to the Citizens Utility Board, Aqua Illinois and Illinois American Water customers are affected by proposed rate hikes, which could cost households nearly $30 a month.

Illinois State Rep. Dagmara Avelar said inflation has made everyday costs burdensome, especially for lower and fixed-income households.

“The utility increase makes it difficult for families to survive. It actually adds another rising cost to already high bills,” Avelar said.

Illinois State Rep. Nabeela Syed said Aqua Illinois filed a $19.2 million rate-hike request after the company failed to deliver water to homes in Lake County for five days last summer.

“A rate hike, especially one this substantial on the heels of that failure, is absolutely inexcusable,” Syed said.

The Illinois Commerce Commission is expected to rule in November on the proposed rate increases by Aqua. The ICC ruling for Illinois American’s proposal is slated for December.

Illinois lawmakers have proposed legislation to address high water bills.

Avelar introduced House Bill 2721 last year.

The measure would remove language which allows the Illinois Commerce Commission to authorize surcharges by water and sewage companies to pay for new water and waste systems.

“We have families right now that are paying more in fees than their actual water usage, and that is just not right,” Avelar said.

Republican State Sen. Sue Rezin said she filed Senate Bill 1131 to give the public a voice.

“The legislation mandates that before any city council can sell a municipal water system to a for-profit company, a referendum must be held and approved by the voters,” Rezin said.

Rezin said higher water bills and loss of local control are among the effects of House Bill 4508, which became law in 2018. Rezin and the Citizens Utility Board opposed that legislation.