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West Chicago council weighs sewer-rate options, leans toward preplanned increase for 2026
Summary
Councilors heard staff modeling showing a projected multi‑year deficit and reviewed three rate scenarios for sewer charges; staff reported residential customers now shoulder about 59–60% of sewer revenue and recommended a rate study. An informal show of hands favored the preplanned increase; no formal vote was taken.
West Chicago — City staff on Nov. 4 presented councilors with three options for 2026 sewer-rate adjustments and detailed modeling showing long-term deficits that, they said, the multiyear rate plan is meant to mitigate.
Staff explained the city adopted a phased rate plan in 2023 to spread increases and avoid reactive spikes. "This phased approach allows for smaller, predictable annual increases rather than large reactive adjustments," a staff member told the council. Under the plan presented, the water rate increase scheduled for Jan. 1 would move the city’s water charge to about $9.90 per 1,000 gallons; residential sewer would rise from $10.50 to $11 per 1,000 gallons and commercial/industrial sewer from about $10.82 to $11.34 per 1,000 gallons.
The staff presentation showed projected shortfalls if increases are not implemented: roughly $8.38 million in the water…
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