Illinois American Water is asking the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve a $152-million rate hike, but a utility watchdog questions its necessity.
The Citizen’s Utility Board calls the request “severe and greedy,” saying the company is pushing for an excessive profit rate for its shareholders. According to the water company, CUB spokesman Jim Chilsen says the average customer could see a $24 a month hike in their water bill and about $5 monthly for wastewater.
Last Thursday, Illinois American Water filed a request to increase rates by about 39.5 percent. In the request, the utility proposes increasing its Return on Equity (ROE), or profit rate for shareholders, from 9.78 percent to 10.75 percent.
The rate case, Docket # 24-0097, will take approximately 11 months to complete. You can offer your opinion on the request at: https://www.icc.illinois.gov.
