102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB3853

 

Introduced 2/22/2021, by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
110 ILCS 305/115

    Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that the water rates report for the Lake Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois must be issued no later than December 1, 2022 (instead of December 1, 2020). Provides that the water rates report for the remainder of Illinois must be issued no later than December 1, 2023 (instead of December 1, 2021). Changes the repeal date of the water rates report provisions to January 1, 2024 (instead of January 1, 2022). Effective immediately.


LRB102 12498 CMG 17835 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3853LRB102 12498 CMG 17835 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
5renumbering and changing Section 105, as added by Public Act
6101-562, as follows:
 
7    (110 ILCS 305/115)
8    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)
9    Sec. 115 105. Water rates report.
10    (a) Subject to appropriation, no later than December 1,
112022 2020, the Government Finance Research Center at the
12University of Illinois at Chicago, in coordination with an
13intergovernmental advisory committee, must issue a report
14evaluating the setting of water rates throughout the Lake
15Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois and, no later
16than December 1, 2023 2021, for the remainder of Illinois. The
17report must provide recommendations for policy and regulatory
18needs at the State and local level based on its findings. The
19report shall, at a minimum, address all of the following
20areas:
21        (1) The components of a water bill.
22        (2) Reasons for increases in water rates.
23        (3) The definition of affordability throughout the

 

 

HB3853- 2 -LRB102 12498 CMG 17835 b

1    State and any variances to that definition.
2        (4) Evidence of rate-setting that utilizes
3    inappropriate practices.
4        (5) The extent to which State or local policies drive
5    cost increases or variations in rate-settings.
6        (6) Challenges within economically disadvantaged
7    communities in setting water rates.
8        (7) Opportunities for increased intergovernmental
9    coordination for setting equitable water rates.
10    (b) In developing the report under this Section, the
11Government Finance Research Center shall form an advisory
12committee, which shall be composed of all of the following
13members:
14        (1) The Director of the Environmental Protection
15    Agency, or his or her designee.
16        (2) The Director of Natural Resources, or his or her
17    designee.
18        (3) The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
19    or his or her designee.
20        (4) The Attorney General, or his or her designee.
21        (5) At least 2 members who are representatives of
22    private water utilities operating in Illinois, appointed
23    by the Director of the Government Finance Research Center.
24        (6) At least 4 members who are representatives of
25    municipal water utilities, appointed by the Director of
26    the Government Finance Research Center.

 

 

HB3853- 3 -LRB102 12498 CMG 17835 b

1        (7) One member who is a representative of an
2    environmental justice advocacy organization, appointed by
3    the Director of the Government Finance Research Center.
4        (8) One member who is a representative of a consumer
5    advocacy organization, appointed by the Director of the
6    Government Finance Research Center.
7        (9) One member who is a representative of an
8    environmental planning organization that serves
9    northeastern Illinois, appointed by the Director of the
10    Government Finance Research Center.
11        (10) The Director of the Illinois State Water Survey,
12    or his or her designee.
13        (11) The Chairperson of the Illinois Commerce
14    Commission, or his or her designee.
15    (c) After all members are appointed, the committee shall
16hold its first meeting at the call of the Director of the
17Government Finance Research Center, at which meeting the
18members shall select a chairperson from among themselves.
19After its first meeting, the committee shall meet at the call
20of the chairperson. Members of the committee shall serve
21without compensation but may be reimbursed for their
22reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their
23duties. The Government Finance Research Center shall provide
24administrative and other support to the committee.
25    (d) No later than 60 days after August 23, 2019 (the
26effective date of Public Act 101-562) this amendatory Act of

 

 

HB3853- 4 -LRB102 12498 CMG 17835 b

1the 101st General Assembly, the Government Finance Research
2Center must provide an opportunity for public comment on the
3questions to be addressed in the report, the metrics to be
4used, and the recommendations that need to be issued.
5    (e) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2024 2022.
6(Source: P.A. 101-562, eff. 8-23-19; revised 10-21-19.)
 
7    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
8becoming law.