Second Public Hearing Planned In Bolingbrook Over Illinois American Water Rate Increase

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Illinois Commerce Commission will hold a second public hearing in Bolingbrook, to discuss the proposed Illinois American Water rate increase.

The hearing is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 16 at Bolingbrook Community Center, 201 Canterbury Lane.

The first meeting was held in July, and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta asked the ICC to give the community another opportunity to be heard, specifically requesting the commerce commissioners be present at the meeting.

The ICC has now approved a second public hearing in Bolingbrook on Wednesday, September 16, creating what Alexander-Basta believes is a rare and important opportunity for residents and businesses to make their voices heard, a news release states.

More than 800 people attended the July hearing, and about 200 people were turned away due to capacity limits, according to a news release.

“This is about so much more than a water bill. It is about people—our families, our seniors, our businesses and the health and well-being of our community,” Mayor Alexander-Basta said in a news release. “At our first hearing, residents shared heartbreaking stories about having to cut back on basic water use because they simply cannot afford the cost. No one should have to choose between paying their water bill or for much needed medications.”

After Alexander-Basta asked for another opportunity to speak directly to the commission, the ICC indicated in an Aug. 4 response that "“one or more members of the Commission might attend” the Sept. 16 hearing.

“The ICC agreed to give our residents another opportunity to be heard,” Mayor Alexander-Basta said. “and I sincerely hope the members of the Commission will join us in Bolingbrook and listen to the people who are living with these costs every day. Our residents deserve to know that their voices matter and that their concerns are being heard.”

The mayor said she is encouraging all community members to attend the hearing.

“Enough is Enough. We have an obligation to speak up when something negatively impacts the people we serve, and I will continue to stand with our residents in asking the ICC to carefully consider the real-life impact of this proposed rate increase,” she said in a news release.