West Central Reporter

State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) has advanced legislation designed to reduce costs for customers of non-profit wastewater treatment utilities.

“This bill will put wastewater treatment facilities in the same category as water treatment facilities. That will save customers money and make the laws of our state more consistent,” said Senator McClure.

Senate Bill 2859 updates how not-for-profit wastewater treatment facilities are valued. Under current law, those facilities are assessed with higher values, which leads to higher tax assessments, and typically those costs are passed on to utility customers.

McClure’s legislation makes the assessment process the same for both types of facilities, potentially saving money for customers of the utilities. The change would potentially help customers statewide but was filed specifically to help utility customers in Effingham and Jasper Counties.

“Wastewater infrastructure requires a high amount of capital to maintain, and by reducing the taxes on the facilities the savings can be used for operations and maintenance expenses which will put less stress on rate payers,” said Bill Teichmiller, CEO of EJ Water Cooperative. “We appreciate this bi-partisan effort to help wastewater facilities reduce costs and provide affordable services to their customers.”

McClure’s bill passed the Illinois Senate and now awaits action in the Illinois House. He passed similar legislation last year in the Senate, but it did not receive a vote in the House. Senator McClure is optimistic that the new bill will pass the House.