SB1645 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 15660 SPS 21024 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB1645

Introduced 2/26/2021, by Sen. Omar Aquino

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Water Shutoff Restoration Act. Provides that public water supply authorities must use their best efforts to restore full water service to occupied residences that are without water service due to nonpayment unless those occupied residences have improper cross-connections that would risk public safety. Provides that for occupied residences with improper cross-connections, public water supply authorities must use their best efforts to rectify the cross-connection and restore full water service. Provides that public water supply authorities must identify occupied residences without full water service within their service areas and report their findings to the Illinois Commerce Commission within 8 weeks after the effective date of this Act and every month thereafter. Provides that these reports must detail what efforts have been made to provide full water service to occupied residence that still do not have full water service. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Water Shutoff Restoration Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to further the interest of the State of Illinois in the proper management of a significant public health issue by ensuring nonpayment alone is not an appropriate justification for terminating water services essential for basic hygiene during a pandemic. The health and safety of Illinois residents are otherwise at risk.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Occupied residence" means a house or other type of shelter that is used or intended to be used for human occupancy and has been occupied by humans for more than a total of 6 months in the last 2 years at that location.

"Public water supply authority" means as an entity that provides water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances to at least 15 service connections or serves an average of at least 25 people for at least 60 days per year within the State of Illinois.

Section 15. Requirements. Public water supply authorities must use their best efforts to restore full water service to occupied residences that are without water service due to nonpayment unless those occupied residences have improper cross-connections that would risk public safety. For occupied residences with improper cross-connections that would risk public safety, public water supply authorities must use their best efforts to rectify the cross-connection and restore full water service to those occupied residences.

Section 20. Report. Public water supply authorities must identify occupied residences without full water service within their service areas and report their findings to the Illinois Commerce Commission within 8 weeks after the effective date of this Act and every month thereafter. These reports must detail what efforts have been made to provide full water service to occupied residences that still do not have full water service.

Section 25. Intent of Act. This Act is not intended to relieve residents of their obligation to pay public water supply authorities, but to prevent public water authorities from using disconnection as a course of action for nonpayment.

Section 30. Repeal. This Act is repealed on January 1, 2023.

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