Chicago used the water supply as revenue, then punished those who can’t afford the cost
Tens of thousands of Chicago homeowners — most in majority-Black ZIP codes — are collectively $421 million in debt for a resource they can’t live without.

For years, Chicago leaders turned to the city’s water supply as a way to raise revenue. Now tens of thousands of Chicago homeowners — most in majority-Black ZIP codes — are collectively $421 million in debt for a resource they can’t live without.
Tens of thousands of Chicago homeowners — most in majority-Black ZIP codes — are collectively $421 million in debt for a resource they can’t live without.
After homeowners said they couldn’t keep up with the rising cost of water, WBEZ submitted 31 FOIA requests to understand whether this was a city-wide trend.
Chicago’s rising water costs caused over 150,000 water shutoffs since 2007, mostly in low-income, black and Latino neighborhoods.
WBEZ ofrece una guía con recursos para ayudar a responder a preguntas que los chicaguenses pudieran tener acerca de sus cuentas del servicio de agua.
Chicago has restored water service to 35 households during the pandemic, and another 25 homes are in the process of getting water restored.
The city’s Utility Billing Relief program is expected to help 20,000 households, but it doesn’t include renters.
Chicago renters who rely on their landlords to pay for water services have few options when the water has been shut off by the city.
Activists have urged Chicago officials to restore water service to residents without it during the pandemic, but the city has no such plans.
The program, set to start in 2020, offers an estimated 20,000 low-income households reduced water bills and stops late payment penalties.
Chicago’s rising water costs caused over 150,000 water shutoffs since 2007, mostly in low-income, black and Latino neighborhoods.
The Great Lakes are one of the world’s largest sources of fresh water, but many Americans in nearby cities can’t afford their water bills.