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1. Who sets the water and sewer rates?

The water and sewer rates are set by the Illinois Commerce Commission based upon rate increase requests made by Illinois American Water Company.

2. What is unaccounted for water and what role does it play in our rates?

Unaccounted for water is the difference between the amount of water that is metered coming into Homer Glen and the sum of the total amount of water measured and billed by each individual meter in the village. There will always be some unaccounted for water due to fire hydrant use, normal system leakage, and unmetered water use at new construction sites.

3. What are all the charges on the water bill?

The Water and Sewer Bill contains 6 distinct and identified charges. These are:

Basic Service Charge - Basic rates charged by Illinois American and approved by the ICC vary by the size of the water meter installed. Smaller meters result in lower overall charges for the same level of usage. The size of the initial meter installed in a new home or building is based upon a formula in the plumbing code.

Use Charge - Based upon the amount of water used during the billing period. Purpose is to cover cost of providing water, maintaining mains and pumping stations at the local distribution site.

Supply Charge - Cost to purchase water from American Lake Water Company. These costs also incorporate expenses associated with the construction and maintenance of the pipeline.

Sewer Charge - A volumetric charge (based on winter month water usage) for management of residential sewage and wastewater.

Fire Protection Fee - Provides for the availability of water in the event of need.

State Recovery Tax - State of Illinois Utility Tax.

4. Does the Village of Homer Glen receive any monies from Illinois American from the water and sewer bills?

No, there is no franchise fee or local tax associated with the water and sewer service.

5. How many customers does Illinois American serve in Homer Glen?

Illinois American currently serves about 6,000 homes in Homer Glen, or about 79% of the community.

6. What is the village doing about the high cost of water?

The village has questioned and taken legal action to stop IAW rate increases since its incorporation in 2001. The village has worked with State Representatives Renee Kosel in seeking legislation adopted that holds public water utilities more accountable for their service, practices and billing methods, and has been successful in petitioning the ICC to cap unaccounted for water, require annual fire hydrant inspections, stop illegal back billing practices. In addition to being advocates for fair and reasonable rates, the village continues to investigate the possibility of acquiring the utility. 

7. What actions can I take to register my complaint about water rates or service with the Illinois Commerce Commission?

You can log into the Comment on a Case page of the ICC website.

Currently, no rate increase cases are pending.

Filing an Informal Complaint

Counselors in the ICC's Consumer Services Division are available to provide assistance to consumers in the resolution of informal complaints with public utilities and other entities. The Consumer Counselor handling your case will work with you to try to resolve your concerns with the utility as quickly as possible -- typically within 1 to 14 days. You may file your complaint in one of three different ways:

1. Online
   File an informal complaint online 
   
   
2. By Phone
   You can reach the ICC between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday by calling 1-800-524-0795, 1-217-782-2024 outside the State of Illinois, or TTY at 1-800-858-9277.
   
   
3. By Mail
   You can send your comments or complaint by US Mail:
   
   
   Illinois Commerce Commission
   527 East Capitol Ave
   Springfield, IL. 62701

File a Public Comment page.

8. I've complained to the Village, IAW, and ICC. What good is this doing?

Your actions have demonstrated that this issue is not an isolated circumstance. Consequently, being proactive has gotten the attention of the ICC commissioners, our state legislators and IAW. For more contact information, see our

Utility Contact Information page.