SB0464 Summary

• Amends Section 8-306 of the Public Utilities Act to require the Illinois Commerce Commission to prepare and post information within 120 days about water and sewer utility customer rights and service obligations, including addressing meter replacement, bill increases over 50%, service termination, payment difficulties, and rate increases.

• Requires water and sewer utilities to include website addresses and phone numbers on billing statements and termination notices so customers can access consumer protection information and file complaints.

• Establishes protections for service discontinuance, including a minimum 5-day notice after delivery or 8 days after mailing, and prohibits service termination for disputed charges or when customers have established deferred payment agreements.

• Mandates that residential customers with past-due accounts may arrange deferred payment agreements with maximum initial payment of one-fourth of the past due amount and payment periods of 2 to 12 months.

• Requires utilities to test water meters upon customer request at no charge, establish separate rates for customers using separate water and sewer meters, disclose prior service billing on statements, and credit overpayments with interest.