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Candidate Q&A
Why do you want to be a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and why do you believe you are qualified?
MWRD is at the intersect of some of the most important issues in our region: fighting climate change, infrastructure investments, workforce development, and equity.
My priorities include:
- Infrastructure investments- ensure that our region is resilient to Climate Change and can continue to protect our waterways from polluters and protect our neighborhoods from flooding.
- Environmental Justice- advocate for equitable inclusion of diverse communities in our infrastructure investments and economic opportunities to work and do business in the District.
- Enterprise Resilience- lead with innovation and fiscal responsibility to our burdened taxpayers in maintaining our financial stability as we face big challenges in flood mitigation, resource management, and building community trust.
With rainstorms more frequent and severe, the Deep Tunnel system and the MWRD reservoirs fill up. As a result, it’s sometimes necessary to release sewage overflows into waterways. What other strategies should the MWRD employ to reduce those sewage releases?
The Deep Tunnel System is one of the largest projects of its kind in the world. It currently provides the region with 11 billion gallons of stormwater retention and once completed, expectedly in 2032, the system will have a capacity of over 19 billion gallons.
As the MWRD continues to bear the brunt of climate change it is important that we build resilience through green infrastructure projects because they are adaptable to small and large scale projects that can accommodate the density and financial limitations of communities throughout the county. Since becoming Commissioner in 2020, I have been a part of approving 125 projects through the cost sharing Green Infrastructure Program. These have created 9.9 million gallons of retention capacity and protect over 2,400+ structures from the threat of flooding.
More recently, MWRD solicited green infrastructure project proposals from governmental agencies throughout the District starting in 2024 through 2025. Fifteen out of twenty-one applications were selected, with seven being from Disproportionately Impacted Areas.
Based on the success of the Chicago Public School’s “Space to Grow” program, we have expanded our green infrastructure in playground investments via the “Suburban Green Playground Program” to other local school districts in our jurisdiction.
Another strategy that I would like emphasize is the opportunity to empower and educate property owners of the benefits in disconnecting downspouts or roof drains and discharging to rain gardens or bioswales. This would help create capacity for local sewer systems during large rain storms and help reduce the number of combined sewer overflows.
How else can the MWRD improve conditions in area waterways to reduce public health threats?
The District’s nutrient reduction strategy implements a multipronged approach at our water treatment plants, with statewide partners, and continued commitment in research. I am proud to have been a part of developing our strategic plan which outlined capital investments in water treatment processes at our plants.
Some of these include the installation of temporary chemical phosphorus removal backup systems at the Stickney and Kirie WRPs. Permanent systems are being developed at both of these and one has already been implemented in 2024 at the Calumet WRP. The O’Brien WRP will see major upgrades in biological phosphorus removal with Battery D to be converted to a full-scale side-stream enhanced biological phosphorus removal (S2EBPR) battery by 2026 and the installation of a new Battery E by 2028.
In 2024, we launched a multi-year research project titled “Balancing Carbon Management, Energy Management, Energy Production, Nutrient Removal, and Densification” in partnership with Current, Argonne National Laboratory, and the University of Chicago. The initiative is receiving funding from the Water Research Foundation and $160 million via the U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine Program as part of the Great Lakes ReNEW Initiative, a six-state collaboration to promote sustainable water systems and water-focused technology.
Do you think the MWRD does a good job informing the public about permeable paving, “green alleys,” rain barrels and other methods of reducing flooding?
I am proud to have been a part of MWRD’s progress in expanding its communications strategy in the last few years, especially in its outreach to environmental justice communities. The Board approved the District’s first Environmental Justice Policy and supported the creation of a Environmental Justice Division with budgeted staff to support direct public outreach programs like the Community Partnership Councils in Calumet and Stickney.
I firmly believe that as Commissioner I have a unique responsibility to be a community ambassador of the many MWRD resources available to residents. My Office has organized several unique annual grassroots programs across Cook County:
* Monarch Fests: I coordinate annual events that take place early late summer in Hanover Park and early fall in the North Riverside, previously in Berwyn. They are an opportunity for me to connect the cultural significance of the monarch butterfly as our state insect and as a symbol of migration for many of our immigrant communities. We empower residents to plant milkweed seeds as a critical component of monarch habitat and also as a tool in flood reduction. The event is supported by additional information on MWRD, environmental partners, and community organizations in the region.
* Environmental Town Halls: I hold two town hall events annually. One virtually and one in person in rotating locations throughout the county. We collaborating with local, county and state legislators to educate residents on policy or programs that intersect on promoting environmentalism. For example, the January 2026 Virtual Town Hall was virtual and we partnered with the Cook County Department of Health to promote the Lead Replacement Program for home daycare providers and we also talked about MWRD’s flood prevention resources.
* The Water & Wellness Fair: This annual event in Maine Township, previously in Wheeling Township. In partnering with the Township we promote public health services provided throughout the region and also the role of MWRD as a public health agency.
* Forest Preserve Stewardship Day at Possum Hollow: Annually we partner with the Cook County Forest Preserve in a Spanish, bilingual hands-on program that has held nature walks demonstrating our green infrastructure projects, identification of mushrooms and native plants, seed collection, the removal of invasive plants, and controlled burns.
* Water and Wonder: My Office partners with local officials in year round read-a-longs of our “Where Does it Go?” book at elementary schools, high schools, libraries, etc. to connect with students on MWRD’s function.
* Fight the Flood: My Office launched a community pop-up workshop program to hold roundtable discussions with residents and promote the District’s resources in reducing flooding and also to empower residents in forming an action plan to be rainstorm ready.
* Workforce Development: My Office worked with our MWRD Staff to develop a pilot Engineering Internship Program with City Colleges of Chicago-Wright Campus to prioritize environmental justice in workforce development.
Do you think the MWRD has a role in reducing contaminants like prescription drugs / pharmaceuticals and toxic chemicals like phosphates?
Pharmaceuticals, winter salt use, PFAS, phosphates, nitrates, Et al. The list of emerging contaminants is ever increasing and the health of our waterways depends on their reduction. The MWRD plays a role in supporting research and technology, but also in education and policy development.
The MWRD currently invests in partnering with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to support various locations where residents can securely drop-off medications no longer needed. The District partners with agencies throughout our watershed to study and educate on best practices in snow removal and winter salting to reduce the levels of sodium chloride in our waterways.
The District also invests in research and technology to reduce the levels of phosphates and nitrates in our effluent in several of our plants. As MWRD prepares to meet future permit requirements, the District is planning pilot programs at the Egan and Hanover Park WRPs.
Reducing PFAS and other emerging contaminants will require collaboration with the State and Federal government, specifically in supporting policy that reduces these contaminants at the source. I have actively worked with our legislators to support a “Polluters Pay” model to hold accountable the manufacturers of consumer products that contain these contaminants.
Do you believe the MWRD has a role in preventing aquatic invasive species from entering the Chicago waterway system?
The MWRD has a critical role in promoting the health of our waterways and ensuring that our water quality supports a healthy aquatic ecosystem. It is necessary that the District continue to partners with multiple agencies at the local, county, state and federal level and coordinate regional efforts and infrastructure investments to prevent invasive species from entering the Chicago waterway system.
What specific water infrastructure projects or investments would you pursue if elected?
As Commissioner, I have actively advocated for the District to play a leadership role for the region and the state in Water Reuse Policy. In 2023-2024, I worked with staff to engage MWRD in establishing an Illinois Chapter with the Water Reuse Association. In 2025, I supported the Districts Water Reuse Resolution, which formalized MWRDs commitment to pursue water reuse strategies.
The Resolution also created a targeted survey to identify potential water reuse clients and identify a viable pilot project. Furthermore, it directed staff to seek opportunities for the MWRD to leverage external funding opportunities with the Water Research Foundation, the Illinois Section of the Water Reuse Association, Current, State and Federal Infrastructure, and Climate Resilience Grant Programs.
Our ability to leverage the opportunities in water reuse will prove useful in protecting Lake Michigan as our source of drinking water, especially with the growing demand of high water use industrial users like data centers.