HB1863 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 13268 AWJ 18612 b

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.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

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 Illinois Municipal Code is amended by adding Division 135.5 to Article 11 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 135.5 heading new)

Division 135.5. REGIONAL WATER COMMISSION

(65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-1 new)

Sec. 11-135.5-1. References to Division. This Division may be referred to as the Regional Water Commission Act.

(65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-5 new)

Sec. 11-135.5-5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) It is necessary and in the public interest to help assure a sufficient and economic supply of a source of water of suitable quality within those areas of this State that are dependent on ground water supply from portions of the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer as well as shallow aquifers, and where those aquifers are expected not to be able to provide a sufficient supply of water or water of suitable quality to one or more municipalities which may be located in more than a single county, and where, because of economic development and population growth and proximity to large urban centers, the health, safety and welfare of the residents is threatened by the continuing reduction in the amount of ground water and quality of ground water that can be obtained from the aquifers.

(2) Because of a need to provide such municipalities a continuing, available, and adequate source and supply of water on an economically viable basis, it is necessary and desirable to establish a different structure for affected municipalities to jointly establish an alternative source of water supply and the necessary waterworks and other supporting facilities as needed to provide a reliable, sustainable, and high-quality source of water on a cost-effective basis.

(3) It is not the intent of the General Assembly to interfere with the structure and operation of other water commissions and county water commissions already existing around the State as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly or to interfere with the power of municipalities to provide for the retail distribution of water to its residents or the customers of its water systems.

(4) It is in the State's best interest to provide for a sufficient and economic supply of water to such areas.

(65 ILCS 5/11-135.5-10 new)

Sec. 11-135.5-10. Regional water commissions. 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 as provided in this Division.