HB4689 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 18079 RTM 31518 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4689

Introduced , by Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 1707/75 new

Amends the Regional Planning Act. Creates the Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee within the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Describes membership of the Committee. Provides that, no later than May 31, 2027, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee shall develop and submit a report of legislative recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly regarding the sufficiency, management, and governance of water in Northeastern Illinois. Provides that the report shall include (1) the projected water use needs in the region through 2075, including any projected growth in water demand owing to residential, industrial, agricultural, or commercial development; (2) the adequacy of currently available water sources and infrastructure to meet projected water use needs in the region; (3) the risks to water security in the region, including any risks from climate change, groundwater depletion, biological or technological interference, increased drawdown from water intensive manufacturing, infrastructure failure within community water supplies, infrastructure failure across water supplies, and other risks as deemed appropriate; (4) existing data that the State collects related to water withdrawal, transmission, and use, including where the data is kept and how it is used and shared by agencies; (5) potential future government or management structures that would better ensure affordable water access for the region's water users, including possible structures to regionalize water service in the region; (6) recommendations on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of at least 2 intergovernmental or governmental structures to improve water quality, long-term security, and affordability in the region; and (7) recommendations on how State agencies and departments can improve data collection, planning, and regulation of water in the region. Provides that appointments to the Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee shall be made within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Dissolves the Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee on July 1, 2027.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 5. The Regional Planning Act is amended by adding Section 75 as follows:

(70 ILCS 1707/75 new)

Sec. 75. Northeastern Illinois water governance report.

(a) No later than May 31, 2027, CMAP and the Policy Committee, in consultation with the Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee created under subsection (b), shall develop and submit a report of legislative recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly regarding the sufficiency, management, and governance of water in the region. The report shall include:

(1) projected water use needs in the region through 2075, including any projected growth in water demand owing to residential, industrial, agricultural, or commercial development;

(2) the adequacy of currently available water sources and infrastructure to meet projected water use needs in the region, including:

(A) the sufficiency of infrastructure assets that transmit water between municipalities;

(B) the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of each water utility in the region to ensure reliable drinking water access;

(C) the sufficiency of the region's groundwater and surface water resources; and

(D) opportunities and barriers to conserve or reuse water in the region;

(3) the risks to water security in the region, including any risks from climate change, groundwater depletion, biological or technological interference, increased drawdown from water intensive manufacturing, infrastructure failure within community water supplies, infrastructure failure across water supplies, and other risks as deemed appropriate;

(4) existing data that the State collects related to water withdrawal, transmission, and use, including where the data is kept and how it is used and shared by agencies;

(5) potential future government or management structures that would better ensure affordable water access for the region's water users, including possible structures to regionalize water service in the region;

(6) recommendations on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of at least 2 intergovernmental or governmental structures to improve water quality, long-term security, and affordability in the region. Recommendations under this paragraph shall include, without limitation:

(A) how the governmental structures would operate;

(B) powers and authorities of a potential regional body; and

(C) case studies of examples from other regions and states; and

(7) recommendations on how State agencies and departments can improve data collection, planning, and regulation of water in the region.

(b) The Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee is created within CMAP. The membership of the Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) 2 representatives of the Illinois environmental protection and conservation community appointed by the Director of CMAP;

(2) 2 experts in the technical, financial, and managerial capacities of water utilities appointed by the Director of CMAP;

(3) at least 2 experts in the management of regional drinking water or wastewater utilities;

(4) the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Director's designee;

(5) the Director of the Department of Natural Resources or the Director's designee; and

(6) the Director of the Illinois State Water Survey or the Director's designee.

(c) The Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members and shall have the authority to determine its meeting schedules, hearing schedules, and agendas.

(d) Appointments to the Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee shall be made within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

(e) Members of the Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee shall serve without compensation.

(f) The Northeastern Illinois Water Governance Advisory Committee shall be dissolved on July 1, 2027.