Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 5 and 11 regarding Utility Billing Relief Program
Legislation tracker › Environmental Protection and Energy › 1st Ward: Daniel La Spata
- Record number: SO2023-0002972
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: In Committee (Held in Committee)
- Sponsor: Daniel La Spata (1st Ward)
- Co-sponsors (13): Angela Clay (46th Ward), Ruth Cruz (30th Ward), Jessica L. Fuentes (26th Ward), Maria E. Hadden (49th Ward), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward), Matthew J. Martin (47th Ward), Julia M. Ramirez (12th Ward), Ramirez-Rosa, Carlos, Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33rd Ward), Michael D. Rodriguez (22nd Ward), Byron Sigcho-López (25th Ward), Jeanette B. Taylor (20th Ward), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40th Ward)
- Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy
- Submitted Date: Jul 19, 2023
- Introduction Date: Jul 19, 2023
- Official record: Office of the City Clerk
Impact report
Written by AI from the official document. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.
This ordinance would expand Chicago's Utility Billing Relief Program so more low-income owners and renters in buildings with five or fewer units can get reduced water and sewer bills, and it adds protections for tenants who take part.
Who it affects
- Low-income homeowners and renters in buildings with five or fewer units: They could qualify for a reduced water and sewer rate if they meet LIHEAP rules or earn no more than 250% of the Federal Poverty Line, with no immigration status questions asked.
- Renters who pay their landlord separately for water: They could apply as tenant users and get a rate cut, and landlords could not keep that reduction or interfere with their participation.
- Landlords: They could not keep a tenant's reduced rate unless they lower rent by the same amount, and leases charging separately for water would need a written agreement showing estimated average water costs.
- Households with past-due water bills: Participants would pay no past-due balance while enrolled and would have pre-enrollment debt forgiven after 12 months of on-time payments.
- People already in programs like LIHEAP, SNAP, SSI, TANF, or means-tested veterans programs: They could be automatically enrolled or use a simpler application.
- Residential and tenant water users with unpaid bills: The city could not file liens or bring foreclosure suits against them to collect water or sewer charges.
What changes
- Renters who pay separately for water, not just homeowners, could join the relief program.
- Bills would be cut by 50% to 100% depending on household income.
- No penalties, interest, or debt collection on past-due water bills while enrolled.
- Missing 6 payments in a row would remove a participant and bring back their old debt.
- Participants must recertify each year after the Comptroller sends notice.
Money
- Reduced rate paid by the City's water and sewer system: 100% of the water bill for households under 50% of the Federal Poverty Level, 75% for 50%–100%, and 50% for over 100% through 250%.
- Some households in unmetered buildings whose bill is still over 3% of income could have it lowered to a set amount based on 3% of a Federal Poverty Level figure.
- Participants who finish 12 months of on-time payments would have their past-due balance forgiven.
- A tenant could recover two months' rent from a landlord who tries to enforce a banned lease term, plus actual damages.
- The Comptroller may spend appropriated funds on an agreement with CEDA for outreach and enrollment.
Where: City of Chicago; Cook County
When: 180 days after passage and publication
Timeline
- Jul 19, 2023: Referred, City Council. The matter was referred.
- Oct 8, 2026: Substituted, Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy. The matter was Substituted in Committee.
- Oct 8, 2026: Held in Committee, Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy. The matter was Held in Committee.
Documents
- O2023-0002972 Ordinance.pdf (Legislation)
- SO2023-0002972 Substitute Ordinance.pdf (Legislation)
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