Legislation to begin debate on Cook County’s unfair drinking water rates

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation introduced this week in the Illinois Senate and House will begin the discussion on why some black suburban communities are paying too much for drinking water as compared to the City of Chicago and some wealthier non-black towns.

Companion bills (SB2874 and HB4744) were introduced by Stat Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey), who represents Harvey and Ford Heights, and Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), who represents several suburban towns. Harvey, Ford Heights and Maywood do not have direct access to Lake Michigan water and get their water from other communities. Their residents pay some of the highest rates in Cook County, Harris and Ford said.

Ford Heights Mayor Annie Coulter worked with the lawmakers on the bills.

“These proposals will begin the discussion of making Cook County's drinking water rates more equitable,” Senator Harris said. “It's not fair that the place that you are born – whether it’s Harvey, Ford Heights, Highland Park or Chicago – determines what your family pays for water. It should be a right of all people to have equal, reasonably-priced access to drinking water.”

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Black History Month: Harris shares his grandfather's experience as a soldier returning from Vietnam (VIDEO)

• Black History Month

Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) tells the story of his grandfather returning home after serving in the Vietnam War. African-American soldiers were often treated as second class citizens even after putting their lives on the line to fight for our country. The prejudice these veterans endured showed that while their lives were expendable in the name of freedom, they were not equals in America.

Harris: We need to prioritize without harming our most vulnerable

• budget

SPRINGFIELD - In response to Governor Rauner’s Budget Address, Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) released the following statement:

“I agree with the governor that we need to prioritize our spending in areas like education, social services and infrastructure. What I don’t agree with is saying we want to invest more in these areas while cutting essential services.

My concern is that the governor’s plan will lead to property tax increases and will do nothing to better serve our children. I hope we can continue to look at this spending plan and get to a place where our most vulnerable populations aren’t taking devastating service cuts and our children’s education is improving.”

Harris to Rauner: Use our current stability to move forward

SPRINGFIELD - In response to Governor Rauner’s State of the State address, Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) released the following statement:

“The governor needs to build on the work done by the General Assembly last year and take advantage of our current stability to make Illinois the prosperous state he constantly describes.

South suburban residents want to see an Illinois where business booms and jobs are plentiful, and I’m committed to fighting for and delivering on that vision. We need to strengthen our education system, reform our criminal justice system, lower property taxes and provide more opportunities for business growth throughout our state.”