Sen. Curran Urges Governor To Veto Water Bill
Under the proposed bill, the companies can automatically raise their existing customers' rates to fund municipal acquisitions.
HOMER GLEN, IL — State Sen. John Curran, the Citizens Utility Board and other suburban lawmakers gathered recently in Homer Glen to urge Governor Bruce Rauner to veto legislation that would make it easier for large, private water companies to buy municipal water systems. According to a release, Curran and CUB warned that that enacting House Bill 4508 would place too much power into the hands of American Water and Aqua Illinois, giving them the ability to impose automatic rate hikes to bankroll the purchase of water systems.
"The difference between what public and private utility water customers pay is alarming in this state," Curran said in the news conference. "We frequently discuss our high property taxes, and residents being taxed out of their home. In Homer Glen, I have heard resounding complaints from individuals I represent that water bills are another barrier for home ownership here. They can't afford the monthly freight—with the large disparity separating public and private water systems."
According to a release, under the proposed bill, the companies can automatically raise their existing customers' rates to fund municipal acquisitions—by 2.5 percent for one acquisition, or a total of 5 percent for multiple acquisitions. Despite opposition from Curran, House Bill 4508 passed the Senate; however, it failed to get a veto-proof majority in the House. The Governor has the opportunity to veto the bill within a 60-day time window.
"We want Gov. Rauner to know that this bill is bad news for Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois customers, as well as any communities in their path," CUB Director of Governmental Affairs Bryan McDaniel said in a release. "It allows two profit-hungry private water companies to expand at a pace heretofore unseen in Illinois."
"Illinois residents shouldn't be an unforeseen casualty in these water acquisitions," Curran said in a release. "I urge Governor Rauner to veto the bill as soon as possible, and make steps to address the unjust gap in water prices."
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