Consumer advocacy groups oppose Illinois American Water $142.4M rate hike and potential major acquisition

Consumer advocacy groups oppose Illinois American Water's $142.4 million rate hike, seeking a $54 million reduction, as the Illinois Commerce Commission prepares to rule. The company cites infrastructure costs for the increase, which would raise annual residential and wastewater bills by $168 and $336, respectively, while advocates highlight the parent company's $1 billion annual profits and 47,000 households already behind on payments.