HB4492 Summary

• Renames the North Shore Sanitary District to the North Shore Water Reclamation District, effective upon board of trustees adoption of an ordinance to change the name.

• Adds new enforcement authorities for discharge violations, including civil penalties of $1,000-$2,000 per day, cease and desist orders, and ability to plug sewers for violations of board orders.

• Creates independent hearing officer process for assessing civil penalties and issuing enforcement orders, with procedures for evidence presentation, record review, and judicial appeal under the Administrative Review Law.

• Authorizes the district to sell recovered resources and renewable energy produced from wastewater treatment operations, including biogas, nutrients, treated effluent, and thermal energy.

• Grants authority to establish user charge liens against real property for unpaid wastewater treatment and disposal charges, with foreclosure remedies similar to mortgage foreclosures.