102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB1863
 
Introduced 2/17/2021, by Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr.
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 135.5 heading new
65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-1 new
65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-5 new
65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-10 new

     Creates the Regional Water Commission Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that Municipalities may enter into joint efforts to acquire, develop, and operate a joint water supply, joint water works, or both, through intergovernmental cooperation in a regional water commission. Includes findings of the General Assembly.
  


LRB102 13268 AWJ 18612 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
HB1863LRB102 13268 AWJ 18612 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning local government.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended  by 
5adding Division 135.5 to Article 11 as follows:
 
6    (65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 135.5 heading new)
7
Division 135.5.  REGIONAL WATER COMMISSION

 
8    (65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-1 new)
9    Sec. 11-135.5-1. References to Division. This Division may 
10be referred to as the Regional Water Commission Act.
 
11    (65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-5 new)
12    Sec. 11-135.5-5. Findings. The General Assembly finds 
13that:
14        (1) It is necessary and in the public interest to help 
15    assure a sufficient and economic supply of a source of 
16    water of suitable quality within those areas of this State 
17    that are dependent on ground water supply from portions of 
18    the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer as well as shallow 
19    aquifers, and where those aquifers are expected not to be 
20    able to provide a sufficient supply of water or water of 
21    suitable quality to one or more municipalities which may 
 
 
HB1863- 2 -LRB102 13268 AWJ 18612 b

1    be located in more than a single county, and where, 
2    because of economic development and population growth and 
3    proximity to large urban centers, the health, safety and 
4    welfare of the residents is threatened by the continuing 
5    reduction in the amount of ground water and quality of 
6    ground water that can be obtained from the aquifers.
7        (2) Because of a need to provide such municipalities a 
8    continuing, available, and adequate source and supply of 
9    water on an economically viable basis, it is necessary and 
10    desirable to establish a different structure for affected 
11    municipalities to jointly establish an alternative source 
12    of water supply and the necessary waterworks and other 
13    supporting facilities as needed to provide a reliable, 
14    sustainable, and high-quality source of water on a 
15    cost-effective basis.
16        (3) It is not the intent of the General Assembly to 
17    interfere with the structure and operation of other water 
18    commissions and county water commissions already existing 
19    around the State as of the effective date of this 
20    amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly or to 
21    interfere with the power of municipalities to provide for 
22    the retail distribution of water to its residents or the 
23    customers of its water systems.
24        (4) It is in the State's best interest to provide for a 
25    sufficient and economic supply of water to such areas.
 
 
 
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1    (65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-10 new)
2    Sec. 11-135.5-10. Regional water commissions. 
3Municipalities may enter into joint efforts to acquire, 
4develop, and operate a joint water supply, joint water works, 
5or both, through intergovernmental cooperation in a regional 
6water commission as provided in this Division.