The William E. Denver water crib housing one of Chicago's water intakes.

On Monday, the Chicago City Council Committee on Finance passed an ordinance (O2023-1333) recommending the approval of a key agreement with the city of Joliet that will see Chicago supply Lake Michigan water to Joliet for at least the next 100 years. The City Council then passed it as a part of the omnibus on Wednesday. 

Joliet has been up against a deadline, as city wells are expected to run dry by 2030. The nature of Joliet's geology means that surface water doesn’t refill the aquifers, leaving the city increasingly in need of water.