| ||||
| Public Act 102-0507 | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
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(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022) | ||||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, | ||||
2022 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, 2023 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. | ||
(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) 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 | ||
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, 2024 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.
| ||