Bill Text: IL SB2994 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the University of Illinois Act with respect to a Section requiring the Government Finance Research Center to issue a water rates report. Provides that the water rates report for the Lake Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois must be issued no later than December 1, 2021 (instead of December 1, 2020). Provides that the water rates report for the remainder of Illinois must be issued no later than December 1, 2022 (instead of December 1, 2021). Changes the repeal date of the Section to January 1, 2023 (instead of January 1, 2022). Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Failed) 2021-01-13 - Session Sine Die [SB2994 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SB2994-Introduced.html

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101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2019 and 2020 SB2994 Introduced 2/4/2020, by Sen. Napoleon Harris, III SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
110 ILCS 305/115
Amends the University of Illinois Act with respect to a Section requiring the Government Finance Research Center to issue a water rates report. Provides that the water rates report for the Lake Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois must be issued no later than December 1, 2021 (instead of December 1, 2020). Provides that the water rates report for the remainder of Illinois must be issued no later than December 1, 2022 (instead of December 1, 2021). Changes the repeal date of the Section to January 1, 2023 (instead of January 1, 2022). Effective immediately.
LRB101 19779 CMG 69290 b
A BILL FOR
SB2994 LRB101 19779 CMG 69290 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
renumbering and changing Section 105, as added by Public Act
101-562, as follows:
(110 ILCS 305/115)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)
Sec. 115 105. Water rates report.
(a) Subject to appropriation, no later than December 1,
2021 2020, the Government Finance Research Center at the
University of Illinois at Chicago, in coordination with an
intergovernmental advisory committee, must issue a report
evaluating the setting of water rates throughout the Lake
Michigan service area of northeastern Illinois and, no later
than December 1, 2022 2021, for the remainder of Illinois. The
report must provide recommendations for policy and regulatory
needs at the State and local level based on its findings. The
report shall, at a minimum, address all of the following areas:
(1) The components of a water bill.
(2) Reasons for increases in water rates.
(3) The definition of affordability throughout the
State and any variances to that definition.

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(4) Evidence of rate-setting that utilizes
inappropriate practices.
(5) The extent to which State or local policies drive
cost increases or variations in rate-settings.
(6) Challenges within economically disadvantaged
communities in setting water rates.
(7) Opportunities for increased intergovernmental
coordination for setting equitable water rates.
(b) In developing the report under this Section, the
Government Finance Research Center shall form an advisory
committee, which shall be composed of all of the following
members:
(1) The Director of the Environmental Protection
Agency, or his or her designee.
(2) The Director of Natural Resources, or his or her
designee.
(3) The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
or his or her designee.
(4) The Attorney General, or his or her designee.
(5) At least 2 members who are representatives of
private water utilities operating in Illinois, appointed
by the Director of the Government Finance Research Center.
(6) At least 4 members who are representatives of
municipal water utilities, appointed by the Director of the
Government Finance Research Center.
(7) One member who is a representative of an

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

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Center must provide an opportunity for public comment on the
questions to be addressed in the report, the metrics to be
used, and the recommendations that need to be issued.
(e) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2023 2022.
(Source: P.A. 101-562, eff. 8-23-19; revised 10-21-19.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.