102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB1863

 

Introduced 2/17/2021, by Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr.

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 135.5 heading new
65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-1 new
65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-5 new
65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-10 new

    Creates the Regional Water Commission Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that Municipalities may enter into joint efforts to acquire, develop, and operate a joint water supply, joint water works, or both, through intergovernmental cooperation in a regional water commission. Includes findings of the General Assembly.


LRB102 13268 AWJ 18612 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB1863LRB102 13268 AWJ 18612 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by
5adding Division 135.5 to Article 11 as follows:
 
6    (65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 135.5 heading new)
7
Division 135.5. REGIONAL WATER COMMISSION

 
8    (65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-1 new)
9    Sec. 11-135.5-1. References to Division. This Division may
10be referred to as the Regional Water Commission Act.
 
11    (65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-5 new)
12    Sec. 11-135.5-5. Findings. The General Assembly finds
13that:
14        (1) It is necessary and in the public interest to help
15    assure a sufficient and economic supply of a source of
16    water of suitable quality within those areas of this State
17    that are dependent on ground water supply from portions of
18    the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer as well as shallow
19    aquifers, and where those aquifers are expected not to be
20    able to provide a sufficient supply of water or water of
21    suitable quality to one or more municipalities which may

 

 

HB1863- 2 -LRB102 13268 AWJ 18612 b

1    be located in more than a single county, and where,
2    because of economic development and population growth and
3    proximity to large urban centers, the health, safety and
4    welfare of the residents is threatened by the continuing
5    reduction in the amount of ground water and quality of
6    ground water that can be obtained from the aquifers.
7        (2) Because of a need to provide such municipalities a
8    continuing, available, and adequate source and supply of
9    water on an economically viable basis, it is necessary and
10    desirable to establish a different structure for affected
11    municipalities to jointly establish an alternative source
12    of water supply and the necessary waterworks and other
13    supporting facilities as needed to provide a reliable,
14    sustainable, and high-quality source of water on a
15    cost-effective basis.
16        (3) It is not the intent of the General Assembly to
17    interfere with the structure and operation of other water
18    commissions and county water commissions already existing
19    around the State as of the effective date of this
20    amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly or to
21    interfere with the power of municipalities to provide for
22    the retail distribution of water to its residents or the
23    customers of its water systems.
24        (4) It is in the State's best interest to provide for a
25    sufficient and economic supply of water to such areas.
 

 

 

HB1863- 3 -LRB102 13268 AWJ 18612 b

1    (65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-10 new)
2    Sec. 11-135.5-10. Regional water commissions.
3Municipalities may enter into joint efforts to acquire,
4develop, and operate a joint water supply, joint water works,
5or both, through intergovernmental cooperation in a regional
6water commission as provided in this Division.