By Wayne Horne
About two weeks ago the City of Chicago announced a marketing campaign called Chicagwa. The idea was to can its tap water and sell it as a thirst-quenching product of Lake Michigan freshness. The campaign is an effort to promote Chicago’s water quality. According to the Chicago Department of Water Management, they pump and purify almost 750 million gallons of water daily to 42% of Illinois’ population. If all goes as planned, the City of Joliet and five other communities that include Channahon, Crest Hill, Minooka, Romeoville and Shorewood will be a part of the water system that distributes Lake Michigan water.
As outlined in the last Wayne’s Words column, Joliet is taking steps to determine how much water from the tap will cost residents eight years from now. Many might argue water already costs too much, but compared to what? Gasoline or milk perhaps? The cost of water in Illinois averages about $26 per month according to a study by Dripfina. (Really, I found the site on the internet.) We compare favorably with States like Mississippi, Nevada and Arkansas. Wisconsin checks in with the lowest rate at an average of $18 per month. Landlocked West Virginia has the highest average at $91 per month. Hawaii, surrounded by undrinkable water, is at $64 per month.
Joliet has a 100-year agreement with the City of Chicago that caps the cost of future water rates. Included in that agreement, as pointed out here before, is a clause that Chicago cannot sell the water system to a private sector firm. That possibility has reared its head again at a recent Chicago City Council environment committee meeting. The committee voted down a proposed ordinance named “Water for All.” The proposed ordinance included a prohibition on privatizing the water infrastructure. In other words, the Chicago City Council, at least some of them might still want the option of selling the system.
Joliet and other Illinois communities will be well positioned for industrial and commercial economic growth with a sustainable water source. The concern for cost is reasonable and solutions for the high cost of water for those that can least afford it can and will be found. Most importantly, when you turn on a faucet in 10 years, quality water will flow from it. The Midwest is blessed with an abundance of sustainable and usable water sources. People in the Western and Southwestern States are seeking new sources of water as the current sources are proving to be inadequate to support the future water needs. No cost or study to determine cost will matter if there is an inadequate or unsustainable supply of water to drink.
One last thing or two…Primary elections are coming up on June 28 for both Democrats and Republicans. If you think you’re seeing a lot of political ads now, just wait until the election is about two to three weeks out. One race that has grabbed some attention recently is the race for Illinois Senate District 43, between Democrats Rachel Ventura and Eric Mattson. Mattson has the endorsement of the local Democrat central committee. Mattson is a full-time Joliet Firefighter with the rank of Captain. Most members of the Illinois Senate are required to be in Springfield during periods of time throughout much of the year for Senate sessions and committee meetings. If elected, how will Mattson balance his time between both places? According to City Hall sources there will be no special consideration for time off when the two jobs conflict on time requirements.
Of course, firefighters often trade shifts to accommodate each other, but that sometimes results in overtime expense that might not otherwise exist. What then? The Illinois Senate position pays about $75,000 annually, more or less depending on meetings attended. That pales in comparison to a Captains pay for the Joliet firefighters. It will be interesting to follow how Mattson divides his time, if he is elected.
Also, a reminder that Memorial Day weekend is less than 10 days away. It marks the traditional beginning of summer. The day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces and, more recently, also includes those who were First -Responders. You are encouraged to attend one of several local ceremonies being held in their honor. Once the ceremony is over, enjoy the time with family and friends and be thankful for the sacrifices that were commemorated on this day.
Stay tuned…
Contact Wayne at wayneswords@thetimesweekly.com