SB0280 Summary

• Establishes the Regional Water Commissions Act, allowing two or more municipalities to jointly acquire, develop, and operate waterworks systems or water supply sources through intergovernmental cooperation.

• Limits initial membership to municipalities where at least one is located in Cook, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will County with a population of 140,000 or more (excluding cities over 500,000), and permits additional municipalities to join through agreed procedures.

• Authorizes commissions to issue revenue bonds up to 50 years maturity, contract for water supply up to 101 years, and provide water to non-member entities within 25 miles of member municipalities for up to 40-year contract terms.

• Allows member municipalities to pay proportionate shares of development, construction, and operating costs through ordinances establishing maximum amounts and payment periods not exceeding 10 years, with costs potentially covered by bond proceeds or other revenue sources.

• Exempts commission property, income, and transactions from taxation; grants eminent domain authority for property acquisition; and requires project labor agreements with local building trades councils for construction contracts.