Facebook has been all abuzz this past weekend as news of a meeting to include 153 water districts in southern Illinois was reportedly scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow morning in Marion. The meeting announcement that came from Representative Paul Jacob's (118th district) office said the gathering was to bring together water districts and southern Illinois representatives to discuss a collaboration that was purported to assist or enhance grant requests. Because Illinois Water, the state's largest investor-owned water utility, already manages two southern Illinois water districts, they were also included as invitees. An explosion of engagement by the public on social media ensued, resulting in more questions about why the public was not being included. Representative Jacobs released a formal statement saying the meeting has now been postponed, but many questions remain as water customers want to know exactly what is going on.
The purpose of the meeting, as stated by Representative Jacobs, was to bring together rural water districts across 14 Southern Illinois counties to consider an idea to "cross connect or interconnect" water districts combining them into one large district for "grant purposes," and for emergencies. Some social media posters are using the term "consolidation," but at this point, that move is unclear.
The letter was purportedly sent out on or around May 19, 2026, and signed by State Senator Dale Fowler, State Representatives Patrick Windhorst (117th) and Paul Jacobs (118th), and U.S. Congressman Micheal Bost (12th). The RSVP-only meeting was set for Tuesday, June 16 at 10 a.m. at Thrillville, the former Marion Mall. It was described by Representative Jacob‘s office as "not intended for the general public." Jacob’s office also acknowledged in writing it may have missed some water districts when it mailed out notices. The Village of Norris city did not receive a letter and neither did Saline Valley water district.
Talk of the possible sale of this combined district to American Water is being bandied about on social media, causing engagement of the southern Illinois community to escalate. American Water recently appeared at a Carmi City Council meeting as sale of their sewer facility was being discussed. A legal bid notice was published for Carmi's sewer plant on Thursday, May 28 in the McLeansboro Gazette.
