Older Illinoisans Win Fight Against Higher Water Rates

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Older Illinois residents oppose rate hikes from Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois.

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AARP Illinois applauds the Illinois Commerce Commission’s decision in the Aqua Illinois and Illinois American Water Company rate cases, both major wins for water customers.

AARP Illinois opposed the Aqua Illinois and Illinois American Water rate increases, collected 10,000 petitions from our members and requested public hearings, where customers spoke out about how these increases would impact them. We were pleased to see the following wins.

In the Aqua Illinois rate case, the ICC:

• Cut Aqua Illinois' proposed increase by 43 percent

• Lowered Aqua Illinois' requested profit rate from 10.8% to 9.6%

In the Illinois American Water rate case, the ICC :

• Cut Illinois American Water's proposed increase by 30 percent

• Lowered Illinois American Water's requested profit rate from 10.75% to 9.84%

As these decisions goes into effect, we know that older adults may still struggle to pay their water bills. AARP Illinois will continue – as it has always done – to fight on behalf of ratepayers who deserve to have their voices prioritized in a rate case decision that will affect their cost of living.

Tell us what you think of the lowered rate hikes!

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