New Lenox Mayor Wants Answers From Chicago Over Proposed Water Rate Hike

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann wants answers from Chicago to explain why the suburbs could need to pick up nearly half the bill for the city's water and sewer system improvements.

Suburbs that get their water from Lake Michigan, including New Lenox, could pay for 47 percent of the infrastructure improvements Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel outlined in his budget proposals, the Sun-Times reported.

That would mean a 25 percent hike to water rates next year and 15 percent for the following three years to help cover the cost of the city’s plan to convert four  pumping stations from steam to electricity. That would equate to about $3.87 per 1,000 gallons charged by Chicago, whereas residents currently pay $2.01 per 1,000 gallons.

This comes during a time that New Lenox is already anticipating an increase to residents' water bills because of ongoing negotiations to pay for improvements to Oak Lawn's water delivery system.

Because of that, Baldermann said he wants to see a detailed breakdown of the finances involved with improving Chicago's infrastructure and what impact its suburban customers have on it. It's a stance that other area mayors have taken.

"We understand Chicago has to take care of their system, but we need to make sure we are only paying for the impact we are having on that system," Baldermann said. "They would have to make the improvements anyway even without any suburban accounts."

So the mayor wants to make sure suburban residents won't be had by the city. He said he doesn't think the city would just put the money in its general fund, but that "it's no secret Chicago has a massive budget deficit."

"We are just calling for an accurate accounting of the expenses," Baldermann said. "As customers we have a right to know. What's fair is fair."

He said a group of municipal leaders is trying to meet with Emanuel's staff, but isn't sure who would meet because its such a large constituency of suburbs that get Chicago's water.

Despite the concerns with Chicago's plan, Baldermann said it shouldn't stall the ongoing negotiations New Lenox and other south suburban municipalities are having with Oak Lawn.

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New Lenox gets its water from Oak Lawn, after it goes throuh Tinley Park, along with Mokena, Oak Forest and Orland Park. Those municipalities are negotiating a fair rate that each will pay for $100 million of improvements to Oak Lawn's delivery system. Separate from Chicago's planned rate hikes, these improvements would likely bring an increase to residents' water bills.

Because of that, Baldermann told other village trustees during a Monday meeting that the board will need to focus on ways to offset some of the cost to residents.

Trustee Dave Smith said one idea that immediately comes to mind is to get rid of the village's minimum charge for 6,000 gallons. Right now, residents are billed at least $34.74 for 6,000 gallons and then additional charges if they use more.

"We need to get rid of the minimum," he said. "It's like paying for gas—you should pay for how much you use."