Shundar Lin: Candidate for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, 6-Year Term


WTTW’s 2018 Voters’ Guide to the Cook County Primary is an online resource designed to inform voters about the candidates running for office in the March 20 election.

Candidates were given two minutes to tell voters where they stand on the issues, why they feel they are best qualified and what they intend to do if elected or re-elected. The messages were recorded at the WTTW studios at no cost to the candidates. The Voters’ Guide is an online version of Candidate Free Time, pioneered by WTTW in the 1992 race for U.S. Senate. This year’s Candidate Free Time is produced with and underwritten in part by the League of Women Voters of Cook County.

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About this office: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is governed by a nine-member board elected at-large with three commissioners elected every two years. On November 8, some candidates will run for six-year terms, while others will run for a term lasting two years.

MWRD treats water collected by sanitary and stormwater sewers in most of Cook County. It also serves as the Stormwater Management Utility for Cook County. Its mission is to protect the health and safety of citizens and area waterways.

About this candidate:

Name: Shundar Lin, Ph.D., P.E. Professional Scientist Emeritus
DOB: July 24, 1935
Residence: Chicago
Family: Married, one son and one daughter, five grandchildren
Occupation: Retired environmental (sanitary) engineer
Political Experience: A board member of Illinois Pollution Control Board, 09/2009-11/2010

Candidate Q&A

What is your vision for this office?

As a Commissioner, I will focus:

• Promoting advanced technologies for wastewater treatment

• Keeping our water clean, zero fentanyl pledge

• Better management of storm water

• Closely watching the District’s budgets

• Practicing fair bidding process for all engineering projects

• Taking action to respond to public opinion

Candidate Statement

I am Dr. Shundar Lin and I am running for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

I am extremely qualified to serve as Commissioner. I hold a Ph. D. in Sanitary Engineering, and have spent a career as a water scientist for the State Water Survey, and I served as a Board member on the Illinois Pollution Control Board. I have been one of the world’s leading water and wastewater scientists for more than 50 years. I have published more than 100 papers on water and wastewater, as well as three books.

As a Commissioner, I will focus on:

• Keeping our water clean, better than the EPA’s effluent limits

• Promoting advanced technologies for wastewater treatment, including the use of autonomous technology to patrol our waters

• Improving our region’s management of storm water

• Holding the District with a balanced budget

• Ending cronyism and ensuring a fair bidding process for all engineering projects

• Giving public education about the District’s role in the protection of our water and lands

I live in Chicago with my wife, my daughter and three of my five grandchildren. I am running to give my family and all Cook County residents clean and safe water.

Thank you.

See more candidates for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner, 6-year term

Return to our 2018 Voters’ Guide to the Cook County Primary


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