# Illinois Approves American Water-Essential Utilities Merger By John Kim Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/51824 Published: 2026-11-08T21:29:43.000Z Updated: 2026-11-08T21:29:43.000Z Section: Business > The companies announced the Illinois Commerce Commission’s approval Friday, marking the deal’s fourth regulatory clearance. American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) and Essential Utilities (WTRG) announced Friday, Nov. 6, that their proposed merger had received its fourth regulatory approval, from the Illinois Commerce Commission. The approval is the transaction’s fourth regulatory clearance. The companies have also received approvals in Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. Reviews in other states are ongoing, leaving further regulatory decisions ahead. American Water expects the merger to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, a timeline outlined in its [previous merger outlook](). ## Links in this article - [previous merger outlook](https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/43858)