HB1538 amends the Sanitary District Act of 1917 to expand a wastewater-treatment authority currently available to the Sanitary District of Decatur so that it also applies to the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District. Under the bill, either district may enter into agreements with private entities located within 50 miles of the district boundaries to sell, convey, or disburse treated wastewater, and those agreements may run for up to 30 years. The bill also allows either district to accept wastewater from private entities within that same 50-mile area for treatment.
The bill further authorizes the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District, like the Decatur district, to acquire real property interests needed to carry out these powers, including fee simple ownership or lesser interests, by gift, grant, purchase, or other lawful means. It also clarifies that the section does not apply to private entities located outside Illinois. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Impact
HB1538 changes state law by amending Section 7.9 of the Sanitary District Act of 1917 (70 ILCS 2405/7.9) to add the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District to a statute that previously referenced only the Sanitary District of Decatur. The practical effect is to expand local governmental authority over treated wastewater sales, acceptance of wastewater for treatment, and related property acquisition for infrastructure or operational needs. The bill affects sanitary districts, private entities within 50 miles of the districts, and any land or facilities needed to support these wastewater arrangements.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support and little visible opposition. It passed the Illinois House 106-0 and later advanced in the Senate by a 57-0 vote, indicating strong bipartisan agreement. No committee transcript was provided, and the voting history suggests the measure was viewed as a straightforward local-government authorization rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The main policy question is whether to extend Decatur-style wastewater contracting and property-acquisition powers to the Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District, including the 50-mile service area and 30-year contract limit. Any concern would likely center on local control, the scope of authority granted to the district, or the implications of long-term agreements with private entities, but no recorded debate or dissent is available here.