Illinois lawmaker promotes welfare water aid bill as critics raise concerns over federal expansion

(The Center Square) – A proposal to permanently restore a federal water assistance program is drawing criticism from policy analysts who say it would further expand an already costly federal welfare system, even as supporters argue it is needed to prevent water shutoffs for low-income households.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline,posted a statement on X highlighting the Low-Income Water Assistance Program Establishment Act, which would permanently re-establish the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.

He says the program previously helped more than 1.5 million households nationwide and about 84,000 in Illinois before expiring in 2022. The program would provide federal funding through states to help eligible households pay water and wastewater bills and avoid shutoffs.

“The number one issue worrying my neighbors in Central and Northwestern Illinois is affordability,” Sorensen said in a news release. “My bipar...