# Illinois SB3178: MUNI WATER SYSTEM PURCHASE ACT

Illinois SB3178, MUNI WATER SYSTEM PURCHASE ACT, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) Senate bill sponsored by Emil Jones, III (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-04-10 (Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3178-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois SB3178
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: MUNI WATER SYSTEM PURCHASE ACT
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-02-02
- Last action: 2026-04-10, Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston
- Sponsor: Emil Jones, III (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: assignments, energy and public utilities
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Creates the Municipal Water System Repurchase Act. Provides that a municipality may repurchase an investor-owned utility if the municipality finds that (1) the investor-owned utility is repeatedly non-compliant with the service quality standards mandated by the Illinois Commerce Commission; (2) water or wastewater service rates charged by the investor-owned utility have increased beyond the rate of inflation without corresponding improvements in service quality; or (3) a majority of the electorate in the municipality votes in favor of repurchase in a binding referendum. Provides that, if a municipality adopts an ordinance to repurchase an investor-owned utility, then the municipality shall provide written notice to (1) the investor-owned utility; (2) the Illinois Commerce Commission; and (3) all affected customers. Provides that a municipality may not repurchase an investor-owned utility unless (i)the municipality files a petition with the Illinois Commerce Commission and (ii) the Illinois Commerce Commission approves the petition. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission may approve the repurchase if it finds that (1) the municipality has complied with notice and hearing requirements; (2) the municipality used a reasonable method to determine the value of the investor-owned utility; (3) the repurchase of the investor-owned utility shall not cause unreasonable harm to customers or service continuity; and (4) the transition plan provides for uninterrupted utility service. Provides that, if the Illinois Commerce Commission approves a municipality's petition to repurchase an investor-owned utility, then the investor-owned utility shall transfer all facilities, records, and customer accounts to the municipality or its designated public entity. Provides that the purchase price for any system repurchased shall be determined by the fair market value of the system, including all physical assets and customer accounts, less depreciation, as determined by an independent valuation agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Emil Jones, III (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Willie Preston (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (7)

- 2026-04-10: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston (Senate)
- 2026-03-27: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (Senate)
- 2026-03-13: Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Assigned to Energy and Public Utilities (Senate)
- 2026-02-02: Referred to Assignments (Senate)
- 2026-02-02: First Reading (Senate)
- 2026-02-02: Filed with Secretary by Sen. Emil Jones, III (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB3178.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB3178.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3178-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).