Illinois State Senator Craig Wilcox, R-McHenry, expressed his concerns about a new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that could potentially allow wastewater agencies to charge consumers more. The law, House Bill 5459, requires public utilities providing drinking water services to report water usage of residents to municipal wastewater agencies, prompting Wilcox to question the fairness of this arrangement. He argued that consumers may use water for various purposes that do not contribute to the wastewater system, such as watering plants or filling pools.
Wilcox raised concerns about the lack of a process for consumers to challenge their wastewater rates based on their actual water usage. While aligning water usage with wastewater rates may be the simplest approach, he highlighted potential discrepancies in calculating rates based on factors like the number of bedrooms in a dwelling. Wilcox emphasized the need for a fair system that allows consumers to contest inaccurate or unfair wastewater billing.
The bill, which passed unanimously in the House but faced opposition from Wilcox and state Sen. Jason Plummer in the Senate, is set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Wilcox’s criticisms underscore the need for greater transparency and consumer protections within the new law to ensure that residents are not unfairly burdened with increased wastewater charges. The concerns raised by Wilcox highlight the importance of balancing the interests of consumers with the operational needs of wastewater agencies under the new legislation.
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