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MORE GOVERNMENT?

Bolingbrook, Homer Glen, Lemont, Romeoville and Woodridge Have Another Taxing Authority

Now, residents in the Southwest suburbs have yet another level of government with taxing ability – the Northern Will County Water Agency.

The Water Agency has met informally for years authorizing engineering studies, legal fees, consultant fees and other expenses through the five-member community group, which includes Bolingbrook, Homer Glen, Lemont Romeoville and Woodridge. In fact, residents of these communities will be bound by a 40-year agreement to buy water from the Agency exclusively at an unspecified cost. The only way a community can leave the agency is through unanimous approval of all other members.

Q:If the Agency can affect less than 10% of my bill ($1.29/1,000 gallons) and Homer Glen Mayor Daley admits they can’t lower water rates, why has the new Agency been formed? "It Doesn't Add Up"

Q: If residents will be required to buy water from the Water Agency for 40 years at unspecified costs, how do I know my water rates won’t increase?

Q: If the cost of the eminent domain takeover of the water transmission line is two or three times more than the estimates (like in Peoria and other communities), will the Agency members “walk away from the Agency” or will residents by taxed again? “Underestimating the Value”

Q: If the Illinois Commerce Commission regulates rate increases of Illinois American Water, ComEd and Nicor, why is the Water Agency unregulated and isn’t that a “blank check?”

Q: Once the Water Agency represents 50% of the population of Will County, it has the authority to propose a sales tax and property taxes. Why didn’t our elected officials tell residents about that before they joined the Agency?

Q: The Water Agency has made a purchase offer of $34 million for the American Lake Water pipeline. Isn't that a lot of money to affect $1.29/1,000 gallons on the water bill? What if the actual value is 2-3-4 times higher? What's the backup plan?

Q: Is there a business plan, cost estimates or projections for residents to view?

Q: Why can’t Water Agency meetings be held in the evenings so more people can attend?

Please spend time on this website to learn more about how eminent domain actually increased costs in other communities.

EMINENT DOMAIN TAKEOVER

THE COLD, HARD TRUTHS

An eminent domain takeover by a new government agency will NOT lower costs to residents.

More likely, costs will go up.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW AND SEE WHY:

"It Doesn't Add Up"

The communities wanting a takeover have formed a new government agency. As formed, this new agency could eventually impose sales and property taxes. See how.

Communities lose local control and take on huge risk. The WATER AGENCY AGREEMENT approved by each village involves:

No independent oversight Section 9(a)(xii)
A blank check from your checking account for acquisition cost Section 9(d)
Large members at mercy of small members Section 10(a)
Growing communities subsidizing built-out communities Section 13(a)
A pure government monopoly is created and villages are locked into a 40-year; no turning back commitment Section 19(a)