101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2104
 
Introduced , by Rep. Sonya M. Harper
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
20 ILCS 605/605-1025 new

     Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that on or before January 1, 2022, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall conduct a study for the funding and implementation of the Low-Income Water Assistance Program. Provides requirements for the study. Provides that on or before February 1, 2022, the Department shall report to the General Assembly on its findings regarding the feasibility, financial stability, and desired structure of the Program. Repeals the provisions on February 1, 2023.
  


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A BILL FOR
 

  
HB2104LRB101 06066 HLH 51087 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning State government.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic 
5Opportunity Law of the
Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is 
6amended  by adding Section 605-1025 as follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 605/605-1025 new)
8    Sec. 605-1025. Low-income water assistance.
9    (a) As used in this Section:
10    "Low-income" means a household with income that is equal to 
11or no greater than 200% of the federal poverty guideline. For a 
12one-person household, program eligibility is based on a 
13two-person household guideline.
14    "Program" means the Low-Income Water Assistance Program.
15    (b) On or before January 1, 2022, the Department shall 
16complete a study for the funding and implementation of the 
17Low-Income Water Assistance Program, which shall include:
18        (1) A description of the method for collecting moneys 
19    to support and implement the program, including a 
20    discussion of any constitutional restrictions on a public 
21    water agency setting rates.
22        (2) A description of the mechanism for providing 
23    funding assistance under the Program through either direct 
 
 
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1    credits to enrollees in the Program or reimbursements to 
2    water service providers, including a method for verifying 
3    income eligibility of low-income ratepayers, clarification 
4    of the role of the water utilities in determining and 
5    verifying customer eligibility, and recommendations 
6    regarding the structure of the Program, particularly 
7    whether it will be administered by the State or locally 
8    administered.
9        (3) A description of the method to be used to determine 
10    the amount of moneys that may need to be collected from 
11    water ratepayers to fund the Program. The study shall 
12    include a set of recommendations and best practices of cost 
13    savings measures to ensure water utilities are 
14    demonstrating whether and how they are keeping rates low. 
15    This paragraph does not authorize the imposition of a State 
16    charge to fund the program.
17    The study may also include recommendations for other 
18cost-effective methods of offering assistance to low-income 
19water customers besides rate assistance, including billing 
20alternatives, installation of water conservation devices, and 
21leak repair.
22    (c) On or before February 1, 2022, the Department shall 
23report to the General Assembly on its findings regarding the 
24feasibility, financial stability, and desired structure of the 
25Program, including any recommendations for legislative action 
26that may need to be taken.
 
 
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1    (d) This Section is repealed on February 1, 2023.