Another approval, with the deal still pending
American Water and Essential Utilities said on November 6 that the Illinois Commerce Commission had approved their proposed merger. They describe it as the fourth favorable state regulatory action toward completing the all-stock transaction announced on October 27, 2025.
The companies still expect to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to remaining approvals and other conditions. The Illinois announcement does not mean the merger has closed.
What remains on the regulatory timetable
The joint release lists earlier approvals in Kentucky on April 21, Ohio on May 13 and Virginia on June 22. It also reports settlements in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas and New Jersey, each still subject to the relevant commission’s review and approval.
The companies say shareholders approved the transaction earlier this year and the federal antitrust waiting period expired on August 14. Those milestones do not remove the remaining state approval requirements.
What customers can do now
The companies’ customer FAQ says customers can continue paying bills, managing accounts and contacting support through their existing channels while the transaction progresses to closing. Existing customer contracts remain in place under their terms.
The FAQ says the merger itself will not change customer rates. That is the companies’ stated position about this transaction, rather than a promise that every future utility bill or separately reviewed rate will stay fixed. No new payment account or replacement billing route is announced in this update.
The proposed combined business
The release says the combined company would operate as American Water and serve more than 4.7 million water and wastewater connections and more than 740,000 natural gas connections. Those figures describe the proposed combined business, rather than a merger already completed on November 6.
