|
Public Act 101-0562
|
| SB1724 Enrolled | LRB101 07218 AXK 52256 b |
|
|
AN ACT concerning education.
|
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
|
represented in the General Assembly:
|
Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by |
adding Section 105 as follows:
|
(110 ILCS 305/105 new) |
Sec. 105. Water rates report. |
(a) Subject to appropriation, no later than December 1, |
2020, the Government Finance Research Center at the University |
of Illinois at Chicago, in coordination with an |
intergovernmental advisory committee, must issue a report |
evaluating the setting of water rates throughout the Lake |
Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois and, no later |
than December 1, 2021, for the remainder of Illinois. The |
report must provide recommendations for policy and regulatory |
needs at the State and local level based on its findings. The |
report shall, at a minimum, address all of the following areas: |
(1) The components of a water bill. |
(2) Reasons for increases in water rates. |
(3) The definition of affordability throughout the |
State and any variances to that definition. |
(4) Evidence of rate-setting that utilizes |
inappropriate practices. |
|
(5) The extent to which State or local policies drive |
cost increases or variations in rate-settings. |
(6) Challenges within economically disadvantaged |
communities in setting water rates. |
(7) Opportunities for increased intergovernmental |
coordination for setting equitable water rates. |
(b) In developing the report under this Section, the |
Government Finance Research Center shall form an advisory |
committee, which shall be composed of all of the following |
members: |
(1) The Director of the Environmental Protection |
Agency, or his or her designee. |
(2) The Director of Natural Resources, or his or her |
designee. |
(3) The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, |
or his or her designee. |
(4) The Attorney General, or his or her designee. |
(5) At least 2 members who are representatives of |
private water utilities operating in Illinois, appointed |
by the Director of the Government Finance Research Center. |
(6) At least 4 members who are representatives of |
municipal water utilities, appointed by the Director of the |
Government Finance Research Center. |
(7) One member who is a representative of an |
environmental justice advocacy organization, appointed by |
the Director of the Government Finance Research Center. |
|
(8) One member who is a representative of a consumer |
advocacy organization, appointed by the Director of the |
Government Finance Research Center. |
(9) One member who is a representative of an |
environmental planning organization that serves |
northeastern Illinois, appointed by the Director of the |
Government Finance Research Center. |
(10) The Director of the Illinois State Water Survey, |
or his or her designee. |
(11) The Chairperson of the Illinois Commerce |
Commission, or his or her designee. |
(c) After all members are appointed, the committee shall |
hold its first meeting at the call of the Director of the |
Government Finance Research Center, at which meeting the |
members shall select a chairperson from among themselves. After |
its first meeting, the committee shall meet at the call of the |
chairperson. Members of the committee shall serve without |
compensation but may be reimbursed for their reasonable and |
necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. The |
Government Finance Research Center shall provide |
administrative and other support to the committee. |
(d) No later than 60 days after the effective date of this |
amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the Government |
Finance Research Center must provide an opportunity for public |
comment on the questions to be addressed in the report, the |
metrics to be used, and the recommendations that need to be |