Bolingbrook Residents to Get Second Chance to Comment on Illinois American Water Rate Request (Bolingbrook, IL) – Customers of Illinois American Water will have another opportunity next week to voice their concerns about the company’s proposed rate increase when the Illinois Commerce Commission holds a public forum in Bolingbrook.
The forum is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Bolingbrook Community Center, 201 Canterbury Lane. ICC representatives will accept comments from customers attending the meeting, either verbally or in writing.
The Citizens Utility Board is encouraging customers to participate as the commission considers Illinois American Water’s request for an additional $129 million in annual revenue.
The upcoming meeting follows a July forum at the same location that drew more than 600 people, according to CUB, with many attendees voicing opposition to the proposed increase.
“CUB urges Illinois American Water customers to let the Illinois Commerce Commission know that you’re fed up with the water utility’s serial rate hikes,” CUB Communications Director Jim Chilsen said. “As CUB’s legal team challenges the rate hike, we invite water customers to join our campaign against this increase.”
According to CUB, a residential customer using about 3,500 gallons of water each month could see a water bill increase of roughly $10 per month, although the impact would vary by service area. Customers receiving wastewater service could face an additional increase of approximately $23 per month.
The consumer advocacy organization also said the latest proposal would represent Illinois American Water’s fourth rate increase in 10 years. CUB said the utility received rate increases totaling about $230 million during that period, including increases approved in 2016, 2022 and 2024.
CUB has challenged the utility’s latest filing before the ICC. The organization said testimony from its experts identified what it considers $54 million in excessive costs within Illinois American Water’s request.
Among its objections, CUB is challenging the proposed return on equity for shareholders, which the organization says Illinois American Water is seeking to raise from 9.84% to 10.75%.
The utility has also faced broader scrutiny from CUB over the structure of private water service in Illinois. CUB has criticized state policies that allow private water companies to recover certain infrastructure and acquisition expenses from customers.
The organization said Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois have acquired dozens of water and wastewater systems in the state since 2013 and estimated that more than $411 million in acquisition costs have been passed on to customers.
CUB is also challenging a proposed transaction involving American Water, the parent company of Illinois American Water. American Water announced in October 2025 that it planned to acquire Essential Utilities, the parent company of Aqua Illinois.
In an April filing, CUB urged the ICC to reject the transaction, arguing that the resulting concentration of privately operated water systems could raise public-interest concerns. CUB said the acquisition, combined with American Water’s recently completed purchase of Prairie Path Water Co., could leave affiliates of American Water serving more than 99.99% of Illinois’ regulated water and wastewater customers.
The ICC is expected to make a decision on the Essential Utilities transaction by Nov. 5. A ruling on Illinois American Water’s rate case is expected by Dec. 18.
Customers who cannot attend the Sept. 16 forum can submit comments through the ICC’s website for Docket 26-0127 or contact the commission’s Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795. The division accepts calls Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Information: Illinois Commerce Commission, Docket 26-0127, https://www.icc.illinois.gov/; Citizens Utility Board, https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/.
Bolingbrook Residents to Get Second Chance to Comment on Illinois American Water Rate Request
