Press

Latest release · July 15, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Heidi Pacella · Heidi@Hadleytrees.com

Pacella Testifies Against Water Rate Hike, Citing Company’s Unkept 2005 Promises to Homer Glen

“The exact number the ICC already rejected” — Village President candidate says the company is again seeking the 10.75% shareholder profit the Commission turned down in its last rate case

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Heidi Pacella, a Homer Glen resident and community advocate who is running for Village President, called on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to reject the 10.75 percent guaranteed shareholder return sought in Illinois American Water’s $142 million rate increase request, in remarks delivered Tuesday night at an ICC public forum in Bolingbrook.

The five commissioners who will decide the case were not present. The forum was conducted by an administrative law judge, and the Commission will rule on the written record. Homeowners — especially seniors — described cutting back on washing dishes, showering, and caring for their families after a decade of rate increases.

“It is troubling that the five people who will vote on this were not here,” Pacella said. “The record reaches them either way. But they should have seen that room fill up.”

Pacella said the water company has a twenty-year record of commitments to Homer Glen that it has not kept, citing a letter in which Illinois American Water’s own president made written promises to her village that remain unfulfilled.

“I’m on a private well and septic system. I don’t receive an Illinois American Water bill myself,” Pacella said. “I’m here for my neighbors who do — and when I say neighbors I not only mean those in Homer Glen, but I mean every single one of you that receives a high water bill,” Pacella said, noting that Homer Glen is impacted far worse than many of the suburban municipalities represented at the hearing.

“Bolingbrook’s Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta has spoken out forcefully against this rate hike, raised public awareness of the issues involved, and helped bring residents to this hearing — including homeowners from Homer Glen,” Pacella said. “Homer Glen should have been standing beside her. As Village President, I would make this a priority and fight to protect the interests of our homeowners and businesses.”

The crowd overflowed the Bolingbrook Community Center. Every seat was filled, residents stood along the walls and at the back of the room, and others spilled into the hallways and outside the building; some could not get in at all. Bolingbrook Village Attorney Burt Odelson estimated attendance at more than 800.

Pacella cited a letter dated October 6, 2005, entered in the public record as Homer Glen Exhibit 1.05, in which Illinois American Water’s then-president committed in writing to seek consumption-based sewer billing and a senior discount for the Village of Homer Glen. Those commitments remain unfulfilled, while the company again offers a similar discount as a new concession. Read the full four-page letter (PDF).

She also pointed to the company’s last rate case, in which the Commission rejected a requested 10.75 percent shareholder return on equity and authorized 9.84 percent. Fourteen months later, Illinois American is asking for 10.75 percent again.

“The 10.75 percent is the exact number the ICC already rejected that was requested two years ago,” Pacella told the Commission.

Company President Rebecca Losli opened the forum defending the request, citing advanced treatment, regulatory compliance and job creation. Among the projects she described was rehabilitating 10,000 feet of wastewater collection pipe in Homer Glen.

“Twenty years ago, their president put wastewater promises to my village in writing, and they were not kept,” Pacella said. “Tonight their president made us new ones. Nobody in that room argued against clean water or against replacing old pipes. What went unexplained is why families who cannot choose another provider should also pay a guaranteed 10.75 percent shareholder profit on top of that work.”

The forum ran roughly thirty minutes past its scheduled close. Closing it, the presiding administrative law judge acknowledged that “a considerable number” of residents who had signed up did not get a chance to speak and said the Commission would look into holding a second forum. Written comments remain open and carry the same weight in the record as testimony delivered at the microphone.

“Neighbors signed up, waited, and went home without being called, even some unable to enter the building that was packed to capacity,” Pacella said. “If that was you, the record is still open. Your comment counts exactly as much on paper — and this Commission has to read it.”

About: Heidi Pacella is a candidate for Homer Glen Village President in the April 2027 consolidated election. More at https://heidiforhomer.com. Full background on this case: Homer Glen vs. the Illinois American Water rate hike.

###

EDITOR’S NOTE: Docket No. 26-0127 — Illinois-American Water Co., proposed general increase of approx. $142 million, driven by approx. $577 million in system investment ($421M water, $156M wastewater); ROE proposed to rise from 9.84% to 10.75%. Further hearings in August; decision expected by Dec. 18. Docket No. 24-0097 — Final Order entered Dec. 5, 2024, authorizing 9.84% ROE. Homer Glen Exhibit 1.05 — letter from Terry L. Gloriod, President, Illinois American Water, to Mayor Russ Petrizzo, Oct. 6, 2005. Pacella filed a written comment in Docket 26-0127 the evening of the forum.

Members of the press are welcome to reach out directly — Heidi is available for interviews on local issues. Campaign assets, press contact, and news coverage are below.

Direct downloads cleared for editorial use. Crediting "Heidi For Homer / heidiforhomer.com" is appreciated but not required.

January 16, 2025 · Shaw Local (The Herald News)
Homer Glen board candidates lose appeal to get back on ballot

March 2025 · Patch (Homer Glen)
Homer Glen Trustee Candidates Vie For 3 Positions: April 1 Election

April 2025 · Patch (Homer Glen)
Reynders, LePore, Muller Projected To Win Trustee Race
(Heidi ran as a write-in after being removed from the ballot — secured 550+ write-in votes.)

April 2024 · Patch (Homer Glen)
Parker, Hadley Road Jurisdiction Transferred To Homer Glen
(The successful conclusion of the campaign Heidi led.)

April 9, 2026 · Homer Glen Today
Homer Glen Approves Limits on License Plate Reader Data Storage
(7-day limit added after public pressure — cameras themselves remain in violation of the 2023 referendum.)