Over the past several years, private water utilities Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois have been buying up municipally-owned water and wastewater systems across the state. And in 2013, state legislators passed a law that allows these water utilities to pass acquisition costs—$220 million and counting—onto their customers. As it stands, municipality residents have no say if or when their water system is sold off to a private company.
Thanks to Bryan McDaniel, CUB's Director of Governmental Affairs, for coming on the episode.
For more information on water privatization in Illinois, visit: https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/water-privatization-in-illinois/
