If your water bill has been quietly draining your bank account, there may be some relief ahead.
Chicago’s Utility Billing Relief program is designed to lower water, sewer, and water-sewer tax costs for qualifying low-income residents—and it could also wipe out existing debt for people who stay current on the new reduced bill for a year.
What the Utility Billing Relief program offers
Eligible Chicago homeowners could receive:
- A reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax charges
- No late-payment penalties while enrolled
- No debt-collection activity on outstanding utility balances
- Debt forgiveness after completing 12 months without a past-due balance
In short: get approved, pay the lower monthly amount on time for a year, and old utility debt could be forgiven.
Who’s running it?
The city is partnering with the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, better known as CEDA. The organization already administers LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and has an established network of community partners that will help spread the word and enroll homeowners.
Why it matters
For Chicago households carrying overdue water bills, the program could offer more than a smaller monthly payment. The biggest benefit may be the path out of accumulated debt—without new late fees or collection pressure stacking up along the way.
