Skokie officials approved an almost 5 percent water rate increase, increasing the average water bill for residents of the Illinois town by $1.73 a month, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The rate increase that was unanimously approved by town officials reflects in part a rise in the cost of Lake Michigan water that Skokie buys from nearby Evanston, the newspaper said. The rate hike is due to begin with August’s water bills.

To contact the reporter on this story: Randall Hackley in Zurich at rhackley@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Randall Hackley at rhackley@bloomberg.net