SB1724 EngrossedLRB101 07218 AXK 52256 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
5adding Section 105 as follows:
 
6    (110 ILCS 305/105 new)
7    Sec. 105. Water rates report.
8    (a) Subject to appropriation, no later than December 1,
92020, the Government Finance Research Center at the University
10of Illinois at Chicago, in coordination with an
11intergovernmental advisory committee, must issue a report
12evaluating the setting of water rates throughout the Lake
13Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois and, no later
14than December 1, 2021, for the remainder of Illinois. The
15report must provide recommendations for policy and regulatory
16needs at the State and local level based on its findings. The
17report shall, at a minimum, address all of the following areas:
18        (1) The components of a water bill.
19        (2) Reasons for increases in water rates.
20        (3) The definition of affordability throughout the
21    State and any variances to that definition.
22        (4) Evidence of rate-setting that utilizes
23    inappropriate practices.

 

 

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1        (5) The extent to which State or local policies drive
2    cost increases or variations in rate-settings.
3        (6) Challenges within economically disadvantaged
4    communities in setting water rates.
5        (7) Opportunities for increased intergovernmental
6    coordination for setting equitable water rates.
7    (b) In developing the report under this Section, the
8Government Finance Research Center shall form an advisory
9committee, which shall be composed of all of the following
10members:
11        (1) The Director of the Environmental Protection
12    Agency, or his or her designee.
13        (2) The Director of Natural Resources, or his or her
14    designee.
15        (3) The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
16    or his or her designee.
17        (4) The Attorney General, or his or her designee.
18        (5) At least 2 members who are representatives of
19    private water utilities operating in Illinois, appointed
20    by the Director of Public Health.
21        (6) At least 4 members who are representatives of
22    municipal water utilities, appointed by the Director of
23    Public Health.
24        (7) One member who is a representative of an
25    environmental justice advocacy organization, appointed by
26    the Director of Public Health.

 

 

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1        (8) One member who is a representative of a consumer
2    advocacy organization, appointed by the Director of Public
3    Health.
4        (9) One member who is a representative of an
5    environmental planning organization that serves
6    northeastern Illinois, appointed by the Director of Public
7    Health.
8        (10) The Director of the Illinois State Water Survey,
9    or his or her designee.
10        (11) The Chairperson of the Illinois Commerce
11    Commission, or his or her designee.
12    (c) After all members are appointed, the committee shall
13hold its first meeting at the call of the Director of the
14Government Finance Research Center, at which meeting the
15members shall select a chairperson from among themselves. After
16its first meeting, the committee shall meet at the call of the
17chairperson. Members of the committee shall serve without
18compensation but may be reimbursed for their reasonable and
19necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. The
20Department of Public Health shall provide administrative and
21other support to the committee.
22    (d) No later than 60 days after the effective date of this
23amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the Department of
24Public Health must provide an opportunity for public comment on
25the questions to be addressed in the report, the metrics to be
26used, and the recommendations that need to be issued.

 

 

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1    (e) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2022.
 
2    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
3becoming law.