Illinois 104th General Assembly Status: Introduced 2 D cosponsors

SB3178      — MUNI WATER SYSTEM PURCHASE ACT

Last action — Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced February 02, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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Prognosis

Not enough signal yet

Not enough signal yet to read this bill's trajectory — we surface a likelihood only once there's real movement (stage, sponsorship, committee, or votes) to point to.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Creates the Municipal Water System Repurchase Act. Provides that a municipality may repurchase an investor-owned utility if the municipality finds that (1) the investor-owned utility is repeatedly non-compliant with the service quality standards mandated by the Illinois Commerce Commission; (2) water or wastewater service rates charged by the investor-owned utility have increased beyond the rate of inflation without corresponding improvements in service quality; or (3) a majority of the electorate in the municipality votes in favor of repurchase in a binding referendum. Provides that, if a municipality adopts an ordinance to repurchase an investor-owned utility, then the municipality shall provide written notice to (1) the investor-owned utility; (2) the Illinois Commerce Commission; and (3) all affected customers. Provides that a municipality may not repurchase an investor-owned utility unless (i)the municipality files a petition with the Illinois Commerce Commission and (ii) the Illinois Commerce Commission approves the petition. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission may approve the repurchase if it finds that (1) the municipality has complied with notice and hearing requirements; (2) the municipality used a reasonable method to determine the value of the investor-owned utility; (3) the repurchase of the investor-owned utility shall not cause unreasonable harm to customers or service continuity; and (4) the transition plan provides for uninterrupted utility service. Provides that, if the Illinois Commerce Commission approves a municipality's petition to repurchase an investor-owned utility, then the investor-owned utility shall transfer all facilities, records, and customer accounts to the municipality or its designated public entity. Provides that the purchase price for any system repurchased shall be determined by the fair market value of the system, including all physical assets and customer accounts, less depreciation, as determined by an independent valuation agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read SB3178 on the official Illinois source →

Action History

  1. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston

  2. Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

  3. Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026

  4. Assigned to Energy and Public Utilities

  5. Referred to Assignments

  6. First Reading

  7. Filed with Secretary by Sen. Emil Jones, III

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 181 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (181)

181 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 181 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety housing environment labor technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB3178      do?
Creates the Municipal Water System Repurchase Act. Provides that a municipality may repurchase an investor-owned utility if the municipality finds that (1) the investor-owned utility is repeatedly non-compliant with the service quality standards mandated by the Illinois Commerce Commission; (2) water or wastewater service rates charged by the investor-owned utility have increased beyond the rate of inflation without corresponding improvements in service quality; or (3) a majority of the electorate in the municipality votes in favor of repurchase in a binding referendum. Provides that, if a municipality adopts an ordinance to repurchase an investor-owned utility, then the municipality shall provide written notice to (1) the investor-owned utility; (2) the Illinois Commerce Commission; and (3) all affected customers. Provides that a municipality may not repurchase an investor-owned utility unless (i)the municipality files a petition with the Illinois Commerce Commission and (ii) the Illinois Commerce Commission approves the petition. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission may approve the repurchase if it finds that (1) the municipality has complied with notice and hearing requirements; (2) the municipality used a reasonable method to determine the value of the investor-owned utility; (3) the repurchase of the investor-owned utility shall not cause unreasonable harm to customers or service continuity; and (4) the transition plan provides for uninterrupted utility service. Provides that, if the Illinois Commerce Commission approves a municipality's petition to repurchase an investor-owned utility, then the investor-owned utility shall transfer all facilities, records, and customer accounts to the municipality or its designated public entity. Provides that the purchase price for any system repurchased shall be determined by the fair market value of the system, including all physical assets and customer accounts, less depreciation, as determined by an independent valuation agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Who sponsors SB3178     ?
SB3178      is sponsored by Emil Jones, III (Democrat) and Willie Preston (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB3178     ?
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced February 02, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB3178     ?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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