Board members win fight against increased water rates

Board members win fight against increased water rates

Illinois American Water users to see less of an increase than proposed

JOLIET, IL – Will County Board members Steve Balich (R-Homer Glen) and Mike Fricilone (R-Homer Glen) today announced they and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) were successful in appealing a proposed water rate hike by Illinois American Water Company (IAWC).  Consumers in Homer Glen will now pay significantly less for their water than the amount IAWC requested.

“This is a victory for all of our constituents,” said Balich. “It means that working families will be able to keep more money in their pockets and not have to turn it over to American Water Company.”

Balich and Fricilone earlier had asked the CUB to intervene in IAWC’s proposed legislation, in order to get the sought after rate hike reduced. CUB accomplished this goal after the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) determined certain expenses IAWC proposed to recover from the rate hike were too high and should be decreased.

“Taxpayers already pay too much for their water,” said Fricilone. “I am gratified that we were able to work with CUB to diminish the burdensome hike IAWC wanted to push through. This is a great example of local government working with a non-profit watchdog organization to help our residents and hold utility companies accountable.”

CUB is a non-profit consumer organization that operates on donations from the public to represent consumer interests in utility rate matters before the Illinois Commerce Commission. Additional information about the organization is available on its website at www.cubillinois.org.

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