Water supplier for Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Danville 

Aqua Illinois is seeking the approval of an almost $23 per month rate hike from the Illinois Commerce Commission.  The company website points out its latest rate increase was in 2024.  This proposed rate hike reflects nearly $171 million in capital infrastructure projects planned into 2027.  Aqua supplies water to about 37,000 connections throughout Kankakee County. More than 100,000 people in Kankakee County, including in Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Manteno, Limestone, Grant Park and Aroma Park, are supplied with water service through Aqua.  In Vermilion County, Danville is an Aqua customer.

Will County communities served by Aqua include Crete, Crete Township, Frankfort, Peotone, University Park, Monee, Monee Township, Green Garden Township, Rich Township

The Citizens Utility Board issued a news release Monday objecting to the rate hike, saying that Aqua Illinois’ request would provide shareholders with a 10.8% profit rate, the highest of any utility in Illinois.

“Also, the fact that Illinois’ two biggest private water companies – Aqua and Illinois American – are seeking higher rates in 2026, as one parent company tries to purchase another, just proves CUB’s point that the companies are more interested in seeking higher profits than actually serving the public good.”

The Citizens Utility Board is calling on state regulators to reject the acquisition.

94.1 WGFA