Illinois American Water has requested a rate increase with the Illinois Commerce Commission. The company is seeking a $152 million rate increase, which would raise monthly household water bills by about $24 and wastewater bills by about $5. Officials point to infrastructure improvements totaling nearly $560 million.
The Citizens Utility Board is calling the rate increase request “excessive.” The watchdog group also notes the costs associated with the company buying municipal water systems, which is 100% paid by customers.