Show All Answers

1. How do I apply for water and/or electric service?

Contact the Finance Department at 847-446-9550 for an application for service. The Village must verify your identity in order to provide service, so you will be asked to show a government-issued photo ID in order to establish service. The Village will accept a photocopy of your out-of-state photo ID if you are new to Illinois.

2. Where should I report electric service problems?

Calls regarding electric service problems should be made to 847-501-2531. This number is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by employees who are familiar with the operation of the Village electric utility. In case of severe weather, your call may not be answered immediately. Please keep trying. Your call is important to the Winnetka Water and Electric Department.

When calling to report a problem with electric service, residents should be prepared to describe what is occurring:

• Is there power?
• Do some lights work but not others?
• Are lights flickering?
• Is a wire down?
• Has a tree or tree limb fallen?
• Was a loud sound, like that made by a shotgun, heard?

3. Who can answer a question about my bill?

Call utility billing at 847-446-9550.

4. How do I discontinue my water and electric service?

Call utility billing at 847-446-9550. We must physically read the actual meter, before service can be discontinued. You will need to make arrangements for the meter reader to obtain the final readings.

5. Who do I call to report a problem with a street light being out or turning on and off?

Call the Water and Electric Department at 847-716-3558. If it is after hours, you can leave the information on voice mail. You can also submit a repair request by email.

6. Who do I call to report a problem with a traffic signal?

The Water and Electric Department emergency line is 847-501-2531. This number is staffed at all times.

7. What are the Village's lawn sprinkling restrictions?

In compliance with regulations established by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for allocation of Lake Michigan water, the Village was required to adopt new water conservation measures in 2016. Lawn sprinkling is no longer allowed on consecutive days. Sprinkling is also prohibited between the hours of noon and 6 pm. 

The restricted sprinkling hours begin May 15 and are effective until September 15. Please assist the Village in adhering to the new Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) requirements by following the Village Code. Sprinkling during otherwise prohibited hours may be permitted for a limited time with special approval by the Director of the Water and Electric Department. Sprinkling may be allowed for newly seeded or sod areas and for the annual activation or repair of sprinkler systems. To obtain the special approval, or if you have questions, call 847-716-3558, or email.

8. Can electric or water meters be removed by a homeowner?

Residents are cautioned never to remove a water or electric meter or to allow a contractor to do so. Meters are sealed to prevent tampering. To keep costs to residents as low as possible, theft of service will be prosecuted. For more information call 847-716-3558.

9. What are the Village's water conservation methods?

Low flow water devices are required and certain uses of water are prohibited.

10. What is the source of the Village's water supply?

Winnetka receives its potable water from Lake Michigan. For additional information or tours of the Water Plant, call 847-716-3644, or email.

11. How does the Village report its water quality?

The Village publishes an annual water quality report every July in the Winnetka Report (the Village’s print newsletter). In addition, the report is available through the website.

12. What do I do about solicitations to switch energy providers?

Some residents report receiving phone calls or door hangers from Spark Energy and Constellation Energy to switch energy providers. The Village of Winnetka owns and operates its own municipal electric system; therefore, Spark Energy and Constellation Energy cannot provide electric service to Village residents or businesses.

Investor-owned utilities such as ComEd are required to allow third party suppliers to offer their services to residential customers within their service territory. If you have additional questions, please contact the Water and Electric Department at 847-716-3558.