SB1673 Summary

• Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act to establish the District's authority over stormwater management throughout Cook County, including flood management and floodplain regulation.

• Authorizes the District to impose civil penalties of $100 to $1,000 per violation for stormwater and floodplain management ordinance violations, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense.

• Establishes a formal hearing procedure for assessing civil penalties, allowing violators to seek judicial review and requiring payment within 35 days or placement into escrow, with penalties subject to property liens and civil collection remedies.

• Permits the District to impose fees on areas outside the District but within Cook County for stormwater services, capped at the District's annual stormwater tax rate applied to equalized assessed valuation of those areas.

• Allows the District to petition to dissolve drainage districts within its territory, with exceptions granted to active districts implementing consistent plans, and permits disconnection of partially-overlapping drainage districts.