Bill > HB1613

This bill amends the Public Utilities Act by removing the ability of the Illinois Commerce Commission to authorize water or sewer utilities to file a surcharge specifically for costs associated with investments in qualifying infrastructure plant. Currently, utilities can file surcharges for various reasons, including the cost of purchased water, purchased sewage treatment service, and other costs that fluctuate beyond the utility's control or are difficult to predict. The proposed change eliminates the previous provision that allowed utilities to recover costs related to infrastructure investments (such as replacement mains, meters, services, and hydrants) through a separate surcharge mechanism. By removing this specific recovery option, the bill appears to be changing how utilities might fund infrastructure improvements, potentially requiring them to seek rate increases through more standard regulatory processes. The bill does not provide additional details about alternative methods for utilities to recover infrastructure investment costs, leaving those specifics to be determined through future regulatory proceedings or legislative actions.