Don't be silent on water privatization

• In 2018, the General Assembly updated a law that now permits Illinois’ two biggest private water companies (Aqua Illinois and Illinois American) to buy any public water system and slap the costs—plus profits—on their existing customers. 
• Since the initial law was passed in 2013, these two companies have spent more than $250 million in ratepayer dollars on new acquisitions.
• If Aqua and Illinois American take over, there’s a good chance they’ll raise rates. A Chicago Tribune analysis in recent years found that both companies charged 20-70% more than municipal systems. 

Tell the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation that would require municipalities to hold a referendum before selling off a public water and sewer system. Don’t be silenced!

Dear Springfield:  

As an Illinois consumer who cares about my water bills, I urge you to give people a voice on water privatization. 

Please support legislation that would require a referendum of local voters before community leaders could sell a public water system to Illinois American Water or Aqua Illinois.   

State law permits Illinois American and Aqua to purchase any water system in the state and recover 100% of the cost of acquisition plus profits from their existing ratepayers. Since the law was changed in 2013, these two companies have spent $250 million in ratepayer dollars on new acquisitions.

When a corporation is about to be sold, shareholders vote on whether to accept the sale. Like corporate shareholders, the residents of a municipality are the shareholders in their water system. They deserve to vote before it's auctioned off to a private company. 

I urge you to stand up for water customers and give them a voice. Thank you!

Sincerely,

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