SB 3381 Illinois Senate · 104th Regular Session

WATER COMMISSION-CONSTRUCTION

Summary
Amends the Water Commission Act of 1985. Deletes a provision which specifies that no commissioner who is a member of the governing board or an officer or employee of the county or any unit of local government within the county may receive any compensation for serving as a commissioner on the county water commission. Allows a county water commission to use alternate project delivery methods, establish goals or requirements for the procurement of goods and services and for construction contracts, and accept assignment of municipal waterworks system contracts or other public improvement contracts. Gives commissions the authority to enter into design-build contracts and use a design-build delivery system. Includes requirements pertaining to the design-build delivery system. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county water commission may construct water transmission and distribution lines within a radius of 50 miles (rather than 25 miles) outside the corporate limits of member municipalities for the purpose of furnishing water to any additional entities that contract with the commission for a supply of water.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 17, 2026 Last action May 31, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 4 edits · Apr 16, 2026
MODERATE
This bill updates the Water Commission Act to allow county water commissions to use modern project delivery methods like design-build and construction-manager-at-risk, while also expanding the geographic radius for constructing water lines from 25 to 50 miles. These changes aim to improve efficiency in public infrastructure projects and increase the ability of commissions to serve additional entities beyond their immediate borders.
Scope change
The bill expands the geographic scope of county water commissions, allowing them to build water lines up to 50 miles outside municipal limits (previously 25 miles) to supply water to new contracting entities.
DEFINITION

New definitions were added for design-build delivery methods, construction-manager-at-risk delivery methods, design-build contracts, and related entities to clarify how these modern procurement systems work.

REQUIREMENT

The bill grants county water commissions the authority to enter into design-build contracts and use alternative project delivery methods for public improvements.

The maximum distance for constructing water transmission and distribution lines outside municipal limits was increased from 25 miles to 50 miles.

A provision prohibiting commissioners or local government employees from receiving compensation for serving on the county water commission was removed, potentially allowing for paid service.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 16, 2026

How they voted

495
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 58
Apr 16, 2026
D Democratic39
34 Yea 2 Nay 3
87% Yea
R Republican19
15 Yea 3 Nay 1
78% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
33
Key actions
7
Committee
13
Amendments
6
May 31, 2026
Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
lower
May 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
lower
May 25, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Executive Committee
lower
May 15, 2026
Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
lower
May 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Deadline Extended-Rule 9(b) May 15, 2026
lower
Apr 27, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Public Utilities Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Introduced
Arrived in House
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading - Passed; 050-005-000
upper
Apr 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; Ellman
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommend Do Adopt Judiciary; 009-000-000
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Judiciary
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Committee
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Laura Ellman
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Do Pass as Amended Judiciary; 009-000-000
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Judiciary
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Introduced
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Laura Ellman
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Judiciary
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors