ORDINANCE
STORMWATER STRESS FEE
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is a home rule unit of government as defined in Article VII, Section 6 (a) of the Illinois Constitution, and, as such, may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs.
WHEREAS, stormwater is the only major infrastructure system in the City that is currently not paid for through user fees.
WHEREAS, more than $773 million was paid out in over 181,000 flood related insurance claims in Cook County between 2007 and 2011. And whereas, 10 ofthe 23 zip codes with the highest number of aggregated claims also fell within the ZIP codes with the highest levels of impervious surface.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHICAGO, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Purpose.
The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide a stormwater stress user fee for water users in the City of Chicago. To the extent that the provisions of this Ordinance conflict with anv prior Ordinance or provision of the City, this Ordinance shall control.
Section 2. Definitions.
SECTION 1. Chapter 11-12 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is amended by adding a new Section 11-12-325. as follows:
11-12-325 Stormwater Stress Fee
As used in this section:
"City" means the City of Chicago.
"Impervious Surface" means a surface which substantially precludes the infiltration of water, such as concrete, asphalt, tile or compacted gravel.
"Eligible properties" means properties that are currently billed bv the Department of Water Management for water and sewer services.
"Fee" means a monthly stormwater stress user fee to be added to eligible properties' monthly water bills.
The Department of Water Management is authorized to establish and administer a stormwater stress fee program under this section. Under this program, owners whose properties meet the eligibility requirements for stormwater stress fee collection may be charged a fee in the amount specified in Section 3.
Section 3-1 Method of Computing and Reflecting Stormwa...
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