SB1724eng 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1724 Engrossed 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 Public Health.

(6) At least 4 members who are representatives of municipal water utilities, appointed by the Director of Public Health.

(7) One member who is a representative of an environmental justice advocacy organization, appointed by the Director of Public Health.

(8) One member who is a representative of a consumer advocacy organization, appointed by the Director of Public Health.

(9) One member who is a representative of an environmental planning organization that serves northeastern Illinois, appointed by the Director of Public Health.

(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 Department of Public Health 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 Department of Public Health 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 issued.

(e) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2022.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.