About the Candidate
Name: Precious Brady-Davis
DOB: Nov. 11, 1985
Occupation: Associate Communications Director, Sierra Club
Political Experience: First-time candidate
Website: PreciousforMWRD.com
Twitter: @PreciousforMWRD
Facebook: facebook.com/preciousformwrd
Instagram: @preciousformwrd
Candidate Statement
Greetings. My name is Precious Brady-Davis, candidate for Commissioner at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and I'm running to serve a full 6-year term.
In 2008, I came to Chicago following my lifelong dream to pursue a career in Liberal Arts & Sciences, after a visit with my youth group as a teenager introduced me to the glory of Lake Michigan and a place I instantly knew was home.
I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska where I grew up in foster care and overcame traumatic circumstances, and surmounted countless odds to become the person I am today.
I’m proud to be a wife, mother, communications professional, and national diversity advocate.
My life’s work is dedicated to promoting issues of social justice, public health, and community leadership development.
From launching a $1.6 million CDC HIV Prevention grant to African-American and Latino Gay, Bi, and Trans Youth at Chicago’s Center on Halsted for three years to overseeing national diversity recruitment at Columbia College Chicago for three years - I am a proven public servant.
When Donald Trump became president in 2016 I took action and went to work at the Sierra Club as I refused to sit on the sidelines as the grifter-in-chief cleared the way for his fossil fuels cronies to stomp on environmental protections, and pollute our waterways and public lands.
For nearly five years I have led campaigns that have transitioned to the Midwest to rely on 100% clean renewable energy, and increased initiatives that center on environmental justice.
As the next commissioner, I’ll invest in creative stormwater management to prevent flooding across Cook County, hold corporate polluters accountable, implement robust green infrastructure and protect our primary source of drinking water, Lake michigan.
Please consider voting for me, Precious Brady-Davis on June 28th. Thank you. Nothing is more precious than water.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
For over 15 years I have dedicated myself to advancing issues of public health that protect the environment, advance equity, and create a more equitable Chicago for us all.
As an experienced nonprofit communications professional who has worked with youth, in higher education and has been with the Sierra Club for nearly 5 years fighting corporate polluters I am prepared and ready to serve.
The MWRD is second largest land owner in Cook County and I would like to see more targeted outreach programs to underserved communities that can increase mentorship and on job training in fields of agriculture, engineering, and sustainability that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District deals with daily.
We need more investments in stormwater management as well. I would like to see more capital projects focused on building playgrounds with porous pavement and artful rainwater design that will have an effect in lowering the current high rates of flooding many individuals across Cook County face.
I see myself following in the mold of the late mother of environmental justice Hazel Johnson who fought to hold government agencies accountable to the people by advocating for clean air and water along with cleaning up toxic sites in Altgeld Gardens. We must keep her legacy alive.
Last but not least as a mom I care about the future world my daughter will inherit. I want to preserve the beauty of Lake Michigan, apart of the largest body of fresh water on earth for generations to come.
What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?
The Deep Tunnel currently in stage II and on track to come on line by 2029 is one of the largest civil engineer projects ever taken on.
Since coming online the Thornton Reservoir has vastly improved the quality of the Chicago River, the Calumet River and other waterways where recreation and fish populations have both increased.
I would like to see new opportunities for additional wetland parks, community landscaping, nature preserves, and bike trails for the public to experience on MWRD land as the district is currently the second largest landowner in Cook County.
I would also like to see enforcement of the Comprehensive Land Use Policy which states “protecting the natural environment is its most important mission” which means ending the leases of toxic tenants who endanger public health and pollute our waterways.
What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
The IPCC report on climate notes “taking action now can secure our future.” Cook County has already seen the affects of climate change; increasingly heavier storms, abnormal temperatures, and a shoreline that is eroding which has caused flooding which disproportionately has affected multiple communities across Cook County, in particular communities of color which lack vital stormwater management and infrastructure.
I will take action by increasing renewable and green energy infrastructure across Cook County by investing in capital projects focused on protecting the environment and fight climate change.
This includes motioning for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% with an ambitious timeline to implement infrastructure upgrades such as installing new primary treatment and grit removal systems across the seven plants that trap methane emissions and generate energy that can be returned to operate the plants.
In addition, I will advocate for the MWRD to begin research of bringing renewable energy generation using wind power as a source of aeration for its plants in order to reduce the agency’s carbon footprint.
What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?
1. I commit to regularly facilitate community-led outreach and educational sessions across Cook County that will engage diverse voices and perspectives into all of the decisions I make as an elected Commissioner.
2. Currently MWRD board meetings take place during the workday which does not give everyday working class folks an opportunity to attend the meetings, therefore I will raise a motion to consider moving the board meeting to an evening time slot in order to increase accessibility and public engagement in the vital the work of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
3. I will hire culturally competent staff who will aid me in addressing constituent concerns thoroughly and expeditiously.
