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Utility watchdog warns of rising water rates as regulators consider requests
Illinois American Water seeks a $142 million increase, while Aqua Illinois requests $26.5 million, as regulators weigh a merger that CUB says would deepen consolidation.
- Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois are seeking rate increases while their parent companies, American Water and Essential Utilities, pursue a merger that could consolidate the state's water utility market.
- President Rebecca Losli of Illinois American stated the $142 million request supports $577 million in infrastructure investments to "modernize and strengthen" water systems between 2026 and 2027.
- CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz called Aqua's request to raise shareholder return on equity from 9.6% to 10.8% "outrageous," citing long-standing consumer complaints about escalating bills.
- Regulators will hold a public forum in Bolingbrook on July 14 for Illinois American customers, with ICC rulings on the merger expected in November and rate cases by December.
- If approved, the merger would place over 99.99% of regulated water customers under American Water's control, a prospect advocates warn creates unprecedented market consolidation limiting consumer leverage.
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Associated Press News+12 Reposted by 12 other sources
Utility watchdog warns of rising water rates as regulators consider requests
Customers across Illinois could be facing higher water and sewage bills as the state’s largest private water utilities seek rate increases and permission to merge.
·New York, United States
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Utility watchdog warns of rising water rates as regulators consider requests – Capitol News IL
Illinois American Water, the state’s largest private water utility, is seeking a $142 million rate increase, which would raise typical water costs for its 357,000 residential customers by around $14 per month. Aqua Illinois, the second-largest private water utility serving over 90,000 customers in the state, has asked regulators to approve a $26.5 million rate increase, which would raise average combined water treatment and supply bills by about…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Center
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
59% Center
L 33%
C 59%
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