A recent study conducted in Chicago highlighted the significant difference in costs associated with connecting new homes to utility infrastructure. It revealed that establishing service for a new house in an outer suburb costs $60,000, whereas the same service in an already developed suburb only costs $5,000. This disparity raises concerns about who ultimately bears the financial burden of these connections.

The study emphasizes that the taxpayers in established suburbs are the ones footing the bill for the inflated costs of utility connections to new developments. This financial strain reflects broader issues of urban planning and resource allocation, raising questions about the fairness and sustainability of such growth patterns.