PR Newswire·Nov 6, 2026, 4:15 PM ET

American Water and Essential Utilities Proposed Merger Progresses with Approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission

The Illinois Commerce Commission approved the proposed merger between American Water & Essential Utilities on November 6, 2026, marking the fourth favorable regulatory action.
Previous regulatory approvals were granted by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (June 22, 2026), the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (May 13, 2026), & the Kentucky Public Service Commission (April 21, 2026).
Settlement agreements have been reached in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, & New Jersey, pending final approval by applicable public utility commissions.
The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act waiting period expired on August 14, 2026, & shareholders of both companies approved the transaction earlier in 2026.
The all-stock merger, announced on October 27, 2025, will create a combined entity serving over 4.7 million water & wastewater connections & over 740,000 natural gas connections.
The merged company will operate under the American Water name & be headquartered in Camden, New Jersey.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions & remaining regulatory approvals.
American Water serves approximately 14 million people across 14 states & 19 military installations, while Essential Utilities serves approximately 5.5 million people across nine states under the Aqua & Peoples brands.