Rock Island Today

Allowing non-elected board members to control water and sewage rates is questionable, according to three GOP lawmakers.

Introduced at the May 28 House floor debate, SB 3086, which is sponsored by Rep. Michael Halpin (D-Rock Island), mandates that the Municipal Joint Action Water Agency must include an appointed member of the municipality, public water district, township, a state university or county. Additionally, municipal joint sewage treatment directors are not required to be elected officials of a member municipality or county. However, the directors must be an appointed official of a member municipality or county.

Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) questioned the fiscal impact, asking if any of positions would include compensation.

Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) debating SB 3086 during the May 28 House session.

“Not that I am aware of,” Halpin said.

Halpin said there is no provision in the statue for compensation. Wehrli then wanted to know if an unelected member was appointed to one of the agency boards, would that individual be barred from running for election? Again, Halpin answered indirectly, but he ultimately insinuated that they could still run for election.

“I recommend we vote no on this one since I don’t think it is ready to be out here yet,” Wehrli said.

Rep. Peter Breen (R-Lombard) questioned whether either agency board should have unelected officials. 

“Those individuals would have the ability to set water rates, sewage rates and possibly levy taxes even though they have never been elected by the general public,” Breen said.

Though Halpin said the public must approve of any tax increases, Breen still took issue with the bill. 

“I share the concerns with some of the folks on the committee that we are handing the ability to propose taxes and set rates for water and [sewage]... [into the] hands of unelected individuals,” Breen said.

Halpin, however, said that the bill gives more maneuverability to municipalities. 

“In some cases, the mayor may serve on more than one board and commission, and it would make it more flexible,” he said, adding that one of the agency boards may also want someone with water expertise to serve.

The House voted 72-43 to pass SB 3086 and will now go to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk.