SPRINGFIELD – Low-income Cook County communities could soon see lower drinking water rates under a measure sponsored by Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey).

According to a 2018 study conducted by the Chicago Tribune, residents in Cook County’s lowest-income communities pay sometimes as much as 20 percent more for their water than those in the wealthiest towns in Cook County. The disparity exists even though 80 percent of the county receives water from Lake Michigan. The situation is caused in part by the aging infrastructure of lower-income communities.

“This measure would help some of the poorest communities in Cook County by allowing them gain more streamlined access to Lake Michigan,” Harris said. “The current disparity is unjust, and I hope to see municipalities take advantage of this program.”

Senate Bill 175 creates the Cook County Water Infrastructure Fund to be used by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to help municipalities fund infrastructure improvements to facilitate water supplies from Lake Michigan.
The proposal was approved by the Senate and heads to the House for consideration.