HJ0054 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0054 LRB104 20346 MST 33798 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Antiquated stormwater and sewerage systems are associated with the municipalities of Berwyn, Oak Park, and Cicero and those parts of Chicago known or described as the South Austin and North Lawndale neighborhoods, collectively referred to as "the region"; and

WHEREAS, Aspects of these stormwater and sewerage systems were designed and built as far back as the early 20th century, with piping circumferences and other technologies that are long obsolete; and

WHEREAS, Due to limited capacity and other obsolete technology, these antiquated systems are often overwhelmed, resulting in the flooding of stormwater and raw sewerage throughout the region, including streets, alleys, businesses, homes, and public buildings; and

WHEREAS, As the result of this obsolete technology and the manner in which the systems interplay and converge, the residents and businesses of the region are severely impacted; and

WHEREAS, During and following the torrential rainstorm that took place on July 2, 2023, Cicero's system was overwhelmed with more than 860,000,000 gallons of rainwater, including millions of gallons of sewerage; and

WHEREAS, Those circumstances resulted in the flooding of more than 6050 homeowners, 1500 renters, and 125 businesses, causing an estimated $333,000,000 in immediate damage to businesses, residences, and public property; and

WHEREAS, In past years, residents and businesses throughout the region have experienced comparable rainwater and sewerage damage associated with many other storms; and

WHEREAS, Apart from possible support from such entities as FEMA, the financial costs of such damage are often borne exclusively and inequitably by the region's residents, businesses, and taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, Stakeholders in the region are investigating the option of instituting meters and other mechanisms and means to ensure that those in the region eventually will bear no more than their fair cost of dealing with rainwater and sewerage; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Regional Stormwater and Sewerage Equitable Solution Commission is created to study the problem of antiquated stormwater and sewerage systems in the area collectively referred to as "the region" and to suggest policy and legislative solutions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall consist of the following members who will serve without compensation:

(1) One elected or appointed official and one professional employee designated by the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, who shall serve as Chair;

(2) One elected or appointed official and one professional employee designated by the Mayor of Berwyn;

(3) One elected or appointed official and one professional employee designated by the President of the Village of Oak Park;

(4) One elected or appointed official and one professional employee designated by the Town President of Cicero;

(5) One elected or appointed official and one professional employee representing the South Austin neighborhood designated by the Mayor of Chicago; and

(6) One elected or appointed official and one professional employee representing the North Lawndale neighborhood designated by the Mayor of Chicago; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide administrative support for the Commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall convene at the call of the Chair, preferably once a month and in Berwyn, Oak Park, Cicero, or Chicago at a time and place designated by the chief executives of at least three of the municipalities referenced herein or by the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, following consultation with said chief executives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall submit a report detailing recommended possible policy and legislation to implement an equitable solution to the stormwater and sewerage flooding problems to the General Assembly no later than January 5, 2027 and, upon the filing of the report, the Commission is dissolved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, following consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, is requested to submit to the General Assembly a separate report detailing legislation and budgetary recommendations to offset the costs borne by residents, businesses, and governmental entities in "the region" as the result of the inequitable circumstances surrounding the antiquated stormwater and sewerage systems; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution are delivered to the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Mayor of Berwyn, the Village President of Oak Park, the Town President of Cicero, the Mayor of Chicago, the Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, and the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.