Lawmaker blasts rate hike requests

CHAMPAIGN – State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, has begun a petition drive to oppose rate increases sought by Illinois-American Water Co. and the Ameren Illinois Utilities.

"People across the state are hurting financially, and these requests to take more money from utility customers' paychecks could not come at a worse time," she said. "Both Ameren and Illinois-American Water Co. substantially raised their rates in our region over the last year and now they want more. I find it hard to believe that these companies are hurting so badly that they need to dig deeper into the wallets of hardworking families."

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