# Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 5 and 11 regarding Utility Billing Relief Program

[Legislation tracker](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/tracker) › [Environmental Protection and Energy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/environmental-protection-and-energy) › [1st Ward: Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1)

- Record number: **SO2023-0002972**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: In Committee (Held in Committee)
- Sponsor: [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (1st Ward)
- Co-sponsors (13): [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (46th Ward), [Ruth Cruz](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/30) (30th Ward), [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (26th Ward), [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (49th Ward), [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (48th Ward), [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47th Ward), [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (12th Ward), Ramirez-Rosa, Carlos, [Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/33) (33rd Ward), [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (22nd Ward), [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (25th Ward), [Jeanette B. Taylor](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/20) (20th Ward), [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40th Ward)
- Committee: [Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/environmental-protection-and-energy)
- Submitted Date: Jul 19, 2023
- Introduction Date: Jul 19, 2023
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=AE677950-5726-EE11-9965-001DD804E9A5)

## Impact report

> Written by AI from [the official document](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/07b2c067-0d5a-4d7e-9177-4aa398e0d1cd.pdf). 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/53cc3c11-8293-4ed6-b7f9-940ad61e0aaf.pdf) (Legislation)
- [SO2023-0002972 Substitute Ordinance.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/07b2c067-0d5a-4d7e-9177-4aa398e0d1cd.pdf) (Legislation)

## Related legislation

**More from Daniel La Spata**

- [Amendment of Annual Appropriation Ordinance to transfer funds from 1st Ward Wage Allowance Account to Aldermanic Expense Account for Year…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029370-annual-appropriation-ordinance-transfer-funds-1st) (O2026-0029370, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Alfa Chicago, Inc.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027548-exemption-physical-barrier-requirement-commercial-driveway) (O2026-0027548, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Passed)
- [Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for BM International Builders, Inc.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027537-exemption-physical-barrier-requirement-commercial-driveway) (O2026-0027537, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Passed)

**More on Municipal Code Amendments**

- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-24-065 regarding ability to pay pilot program](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029654-regarding-ability-pay-pilot-program) (O2026-0029654, introduced Dec 8, 2026, Council Introduction)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 3, 4 and 8 regarding technical and scriveners' corrections (2027 Municipal Code Corrections Ordinance)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029649-titles-3-4-8-regarding-technical) (O2026-0029649, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 15, 17 regarding management, structure, powers and functions of various…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029644-titles-2-4-6-7-8) (O2026-0029644, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)

Sources and methods: [how we get and count this data](/about#methods) · [report an error](/about#corrections)

---
Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2023-0002972-titles-5-11-regarding-utility-billing · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt