IL SB2745

Amends the Public Utilities Act to require a referendum for large public utilities acquiring state or locally-owned water or sewer utilities, replacing the previous requirement of only a public meeting and newspaper publication of acquisition terms.

Referendum must be held at the next election following public notice and must be approved by a majority of electors in the service area; if rejected, the Commission must deny the acquisition.

Establishes procedures for acquiring utilities including three independent appraisals (average to determine fair market value), with the lesser of purchase price or appraised value becoming the rate base.

Protects acquired utility customers from rate increases by capping initial post-acquisition bills at 1.5% of median household income and limiting rate increases for existing customers of the acquiring utility to less than 2.5% per acquisition.

Requires contractors performing work on acquired utilities to be responsible bidders, establish project labor agreements for new facilities, and the acquiring utility must offer employment to qualified employees of the acquired utility; Section expires June 1, 2028.