Bolingbrook residents testify as Illinois American Water’s ICC rate case moves forward—what the July 14 public forum means for bills

Bolingbrook residents had a direct seat at the table on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, when the Illinois Commerce Commission held an in-person public forum for Illinois American Water’s pending general rate case (ICC docket P2026-0127). The forum was a formal chance for customers to raise concerns and for those concerns to be captured in the case record.

What it was not: a final vote on whether new water and sewer rates will be approved. The ICC’s decision comes later, after additional steps in August.

What the ICC forum was—and where Bolingbrook residents could speak

The ICC’s public forum for the rate case was scheduled for 7:00–9:00 p.m. on July 14 at the Bolingbrook Community Center, Room A, 201 Canterbury Ln. The ICC said the Administrative Law Judge would accept both oral and written comments at the forum.

What residents and local officials said about affordability

ABC7 Chicago reported that opposition was widespread, with nearly every speaker during the first hour speaking against Illinois American Water’s proposal. The most common theme was affordability—particularly concern about how higher utility costs could affect families and seniors.

ABC7 also reported quotes from the Bolingbrook mayor and the utility’s leadership. Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta urged regulators to reject the request, and Illinois American Water President Rebecca Losli defended the proposal as necessary for infrastructure improvements.

On the potential bill impact, ABC7 reported that Illinois American Water’s estimate would add about $14 per month for a typical customer using 3,500 gallons of water, and about $28 per month for wastewater customers. As with any estimate discussed in the record, those figures are presented in the proceeding—not as an ICC-approved outcome.

What happens next for the case (and for customers)

After the July 14 forum, the case remains pending. ABC7 reported that additional hearings are scheduled for August, and that the Illinois Commerce Commission is expected to issue a final decision by Dec. 18, 2026.

How Bolingbrook residents can follow the official record

If you want to track what is happening beyond one evening at a forum, the most reliable option is the ICC’s docket materials for P2026-0127, including:

• the docket sheet (procedural status and scheduled steps), and
• the public comments page (submissions tied to the case record).

Bottom line: The July 14 Bolingbrook forum is one step in a longer ICC timeline. What residents said and submitted helps shape the record, but bills will depend on the ICC’s later findings after the August activity and the commission’s final decision later in 2026.

Sources

• Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) press release/document—Public forum details for Illinois American Water rate case (P2026-0127)
• ICC docket sheet (P2026-0127)—Public forum notice and procedural timeline
• ABC7 Chicago—Bolingbrook hearing opposition to proposed Illinois American Water rate increase
• Bolingbrook-area Patch—Mayor/legislators urge ICC to reject water rate hike