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Residents urge action on rising water bills after Illinois Commerce Commission hearing
Summary
Residents, including Oakview community members, told the board they ration water and face hardship from higher rates; public commenter Susan Veil thanked Mayor Mullen for attending an ICC hearing and provided packets of records and testimony for the village record.
Susan Veil addressed the board on July 20 about outcomes from an Illinois Commerce Commission hearing on Illinois American Water’s proposed rate changes, thanking Mayor Mullen for her attendance and urging continued local advocacy.
Veil said residents testified to severe financial impacts, with one resident saying they "no longer shower every day" and another saying they do laundry only every other week because of water costs. "Water is not a luxury... It is a basic necessity for health, sanitation, and human dignity," Veil said, and she left packets of historical records, court decisions and ownership information with the village for trustees to review.
Mayor Mullen acknowledged the testimony and said village leaders will pursue a two-front approach: assisting residents who are village customers and opposing the rate increase before the ICC. No formal village action was taken at the meeting, but trustees were asked to review the materials Veil provided and consider follow-up at Committee of the Whole meetings.
