(a) Subject to appropriation, no later than June 30, 2023, 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 31, 2024, 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.

Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 110 ILCS 305/115

  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14

         (2) Reasons for increases in water rates.
         (3) The definition of affordability throughout the
    
State and any variances to that definition.
        (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
    
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) (Blank.)
     (e) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2025.
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