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Chicago Heights to end Thorn Creek wastewater billing contract; separate billing to improve transparency
Summary
The council voted to terminate the City's wastewater billing agreement with Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District to take effect in six months, saying separate billing will make rate increases by Thorn Creek more transparent to residents.
The Chicago Heights City Council approved termination of the City's agreement with Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District for wastewater billing services; the termination will take effect in six months under the contract terms. Mayor David Gonzalez explained the rationale: Thorn Creek's rate increases were appearing as City rate increases on residents' bills, and separate billing would make charges clearer.
"Rate increases by Thorn Creek appeared to be rate increases by the City," Mayor Gonzalez said during the meeting. The motion (Resolution 2026-53) passed by roll call with six ayes and one absence.
Council did not record public comment on the item and no alternative billing mechanism or service vendor was finalized at the meeting. Staff will coordinate the contractual termination and communicate billing changes to affected customers before implementation.
Actions: Motion to approve Resolution 2026-53 moved by Alderman Kelli Merrick and seconded by Alderman Renee Smith; vote: Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Zaranti, Merrick; Absent: Brassea. Outcome: approved.
