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Bolingbrook Mayor, Legislators, Urge ICC to Reject Latest Illinois American Water Rate Hike
The ICC will host a public hearing in Bolingbrook to allow residents to speak out on the proposed massive rate hike by Illinois American Water. The meeting will be Tuesday, July 14, 2026 beginning at 6:30 PM at the Bolingbrook Community Center, 201 Canterbury Lane, Bilingbrook. Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta is urging the public to speak up to keep water rates low
Bolingbrook, IL – Village of Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta called on the Illinois Commerce Commission on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, to reject a water rate hike request from Illinois American Water (IAW).
Joined by several legislators, Mayor Alexander-Basta said the costs IAW allegedly needs to cover should come from the hundreds of millions of dollars in profits generated annually by IAW and its parent company American Water Works Company, Inc.
Mayor Alexander-Basta cited the five increases, including the most recent, total more than $453 million in the past decade, citing the Citizens Utility Board which has denounced IAW as a “rate hike machine.”
“Illinois American Water has asked the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve a $142.4 million rate increase. This request comes after previous rate increases over the past decade of over $319 million. If approved, that would bring the total to approximately $453 million in additional rate increases in just the past ten years,” shared Mayor Alexander-Basta during a press conference held at Bolingbrook’s Village Hall.
“At some point, we must ask, how much is enough? The parent company, American Water Works, reported more than $1.1 billion in net income in 2025. The key word here is net. Net meaning after all expenses were paid, yet once again, customers are being asked to pay more. The question many residents are asking is simple: Why can’t more of the investment in infrastructure and system improvement come from the company’s profits rather than the pockets of the working families?”
Mayor Alexander-Basta urged residents of Bolingbrook and the surrounding communities serviced by IAW to speak out against the increase at a public hearing the ICC will host at the Bolingbrook Community Center, 201 Canterbury Lane, on Tuesday July 14, 2026 beginning at 7 PM.
“Water is not a luxury, it’s not a vacation, it’s not a TV, and it’s not a shopping trip that can be postponed. Water, electricity, and natural gas are essential services that every family needs to live with dignity, safety, and health,” Mayor Alexander-Basta argued, noting that residents cannot remain silent in the face of these unjustified recurring rate hike proposals.
“That is why utility companies have a different responsibility than ordinary retail businesses. Their mission should not only be to serve shareholders, but to provide safe, reliable, and affordable services to the people who have no choice but to be their customers.”
Mayor Alexander-Basta was joined by Village Attorney Burton S. Odelson, who detailed how the Village is currently engaged in a legal fight over rate hikes approved in 2024.
“Four days ago, we celebrated the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That declaration promised life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as does the Constitution of the State of Illinois. The public utility laws of our state require utility rates to be just and reasonable,” said Odelson.
“I didn’t make those words up; they’re in our law. When there’s only one game in town, Illinois American Water, and it raises rates, and the Illinois Commerce Commission allowed the rate hike in 2025, and the only game in town asks for another substantial increase one year later, our citizens in Bolingbrook and throughout the state are endangered. Because without clean, affordable water, there can be no life, no liberty, and certainly no pursuit of happiness.”
Odelson criticized the ICC board members who are paid nearly $200,00 a year plus benefits for failing to attend these public hearings.
“How do you hear the people when you don’t show up? When you don’t look them in the eye, when you don’t hear the anxiety and despair in their voices? We will see each other on July 14. The Village will continue to exhaust all legal remedies on behalf of our residents,” Odelson vowed.
Also attending the press conference to show support were Illinois legislators, Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (49th Dist.), Rep. and Assistant Majority Leader Dagmara Avelar 85th (Dist.), and Rep. Natalie A. Manley (98th Dist.).
Village Administrator Lucas Rickelman explained that Bolingbrook had entered into an agreement with Citizens Utility to provide water years ago but noted that Citizens was then purchased by IAW.
IAW is currently in the process of completing the purchase of Aqua America, which is also criticized for imposing excessive water rate hikes.
“Today I am proud to stand with our residents and say enough is enough. We need accountability. We need transparency. And we need a utility system that puts people first.”
For more information, visit the Village of Bolingbrook online at www.Bolingbrook.gov
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