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?
I want to serve as a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago because I believe we need responsible leadership that prioritizes flood prevention, modern wastewater treatment, timely infrastructure maintenance, and accountability for taxpayer dollars.
The MWRD plays a critical role in protecting our communities from flooding, treating wastewater, and safeguarding our waterways. These responsibilities require commissioners who understand public infrastructure, can evaluate projects and budgets, and are willing to hold the District accountable for results. We must maintain the infrastructure we already have while making smart, long-term investments to meet future needs.
I believe my qualifications are well suited to this role. I served eight years as Highway Commissioner for Northfield Township, where I reviewed and approved plans for stormwater improvements and infrastructure projects. This experience gave me practical knowledge of public works, infrastructure planning, and the importance of making responsible decisions that directly affect residents and taxpayers.
In addition, I have 27 years of experience in fraud and financial crimes. This background has given me a strong foundation in financial scrutiny, identifying potential irregularities, examining transactions, and recognizing the importance of documentation, transparency, and accountability. These skills are particularly relevant to overseeing a public agency with substantial budgets, major infrastructure investments, and a responsibility to protect taxpayer funds.
As an MWRD commissioner, I would bring both practical infrastructure experience and a financial oversight perspective to the Board. My priorities would include improving flood protection, investing in effective and innovative wastewater treatment, maintaining aging facilities and equipment in a timely manner, and holding the District accountable for project costs, schedules, and results. I would also explore opportunities to maximize existing assets, including renewable energy production and additional revenue sources.
I believe public service requires more than promises. It requires experience, careful oversight, and a willingness to ask tough questions. My eight years as a township highway commissioner and 27 years of experience in fraud and financial crimes have prepared me to evaluate infrastructure needs, scrutinize spending, and demand accountability.
I am running to bring practical experience, financial oversight, common sense, and responsible leadership to the MWRD. My goal is to protect our communities, make better use of taxpayer dollars, and ensure the District’s infrastructure and finances are managed responsibly for generations to come.
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?
Here are the strategies I would want to employ,
1. Implement a Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Program in Partnership with Local Governments.
The MWRD should partner with municipalities to develop a comprehensive sanitary sewer rehabilitation program. Much of our sewer infrastructure is aging, with some systems approaching 100 years old. Over time, leaking joints, cracks, and broken pipes allow groundwater and stormwater to infiltrate the sanitary sewer system, consuming valuable capacity at treatment plants and contributing to overflows during heavy rainstorms.
We can address this problem by identifying vulnerable sections of the sewer system and using modern rehabilitation methods, including trenchless pipe relining, to restore aging pipes without the expense and disruption of replacing every pipe. Properly designed and installed, these rehabilitated pipes can provide many additional decades of service.
By working together, the MWRD and local governments can reduce unnecessary water infiltration, free up sewer and treatment capacity, lower long-term repair costs, and reduce the risk of sewage overflows into our waterways. We should repair and rehabilitate the infrastructure we already have before allowing preventable deterioration to create bigger problems for taxpayers.
2.Keep stormwater out of the sewer system. Expand green infrastructure projects, including rain gardens, permeable pavement, green roofs, and strategically placed stormwater detention basins. The more rainwater we capture before it enters the sewer system, the more capacity we preserve for sewage and heavy rainfall.
3. Expand strategic stormwater storage. Work with municipalities, counties, and other agencies to identify locations for additional detention basins and underground storage. Smaller, distributed storage projects may provide meaningful benefits in vulnerable watersheds without relying exclusively on massive, expensive construction projects. I did this as Highway Commissioner for the Citation Lake project with MWRD. We add stormwater vaults under the neighborhood streets to add detention.
4.Demand measurable results and financial accountability. Establish clear performance goals for reducing sewage overflows, track the gallons of stormwater captured, and publicly report the costs and results of projects. With my eight years as Northfield Township Highway Commissioner and 27 years of experience in fraud and financial crimes, I would bring practical infrastructure experience and a strong focus on financial oversight to these decisions.
The MWRD has already made significant investments in protecting our waterways and communities. We must build on that progress, not take it for granted. I would prioritize proven solutions, innovative technology, preventive maintenance, and partnerships that deliver the greatest environmental benefits for every taxpayer dollar spent.
Our goal should be simple: capture more stormwater, treat more wastewater, reduce sewage releases, and protect our communities without wasting taxpayer money.
How else can the MWRD improve conditions in area waterways to reduce public health threats?
The MWRD has made significant progress improving water quality, but the EPA and IEPA continually keep moving the goal posts. We cannot become complacent. Clean waterways are essential to public health, our environment, and the quality of life in our communities. As commissioner, I would focus on the following priorities to continue that progress.
1. Reduce sewage overflows and improve disinfection. Continue investing in Sanitary and Storm sewer rehabilitation, stormwater management, and treatment plant improvements to reduce the amount of untreated sewage reaching our waterways. Evaluate disinfection performance and identify opportunities to further reduce disease-causing bacteria and other pathogens.
2. Strengthen water-quality monitoring and public notification. Expand monitoring where data shows the greatest risks, particularly following heavy rainfall and sewage overflow events. Make results easy for the public to access and provide timely warnings when conditions pose potential health risks. Residents should not have to guess whether a waterway is safe.
3. Reduce phosphorus and other pollutants. Continue improving biological and chemical phosphorus removal at treatment plants. Excess phosphorus can fuel algae growth and deplete oxygen in waterways, harming aquatic life. The MWRD should also work with agricultural and municipal partners to reduce nutrient pollution entering our waterways.
4. Hold the District accountable for results. Establish measurable water-quality goals, publish progress reports, and evaluate projects based on their effectiveness and cost. Taxpayers deserve to know which investments are improving water quality and protecting public health.
My approach is straightforward: prevent pollution whenever possible, improve treatment where needed, monitor results, and hold polluters and public agencies accountable.
With eight years of experience as Northfield Township Highway Commissioner and 27 years of experience in fraud and financial crimes, I understand the importance of infrastructure planning, careful oversight, and responsible use of public resources.
We have made real progress cleaning up our waterways. My goal is to build on that progress, reduce public-health threats, and ensure that every taxpayer dollar spent delivers meaningful environmental benefits.
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?
The MWRD provides information about permeable paving, green alleys, rain barrels, rain gardens, and other green infrastructure methods. The District also partners with local governments to help fund these projects. However, I believe we need to do more to ensure residents are aware of these options and understand how they can help reduce flooding.
Public education needs to go beyond a website. The MWRD should work more directly with municipalities, township officials, homeowner associations, and residents in flood-prone neighborhoods to explain what options are available, how they work, and how to access available assistance.
I would champion the District to expand community workshops, public demonstrations, and outreach at local events. Residents should have access to clear information about rain barrels, permeable driveways and paving, green alleys, and rain gardens, including the costs, benefits, and limitations of each option.
I would also promote stronger partnerships with local governments to identify neighborhoods where green infrastructure could make the greatest difference. By measuring the results and sharing successful projects, we can help other communities adopt proven solutions.
Green infrastructure alone will not solve every flooding problem, but keeping rainwater out of an already overburdened sewer system can make a meaningful difference. The MWRD should make sure residents know what solutions are available, how to use them, and how these investments can help protect their homes and communities.
Do you think the MWRD has a role in reducing contaminants like prescription drugs / pharmaceuticals and toxic chemicals like phosphates?
While the District has made progress in wastewater treatment and phosphorus removal, we must continue evaluating emerging contaminants and identifying ways to improve treatment. Traditional wastewater treatment does not remove all pharmaceutical compounds, and some can pass through treatment plants into the environment. The EPA has identified advanced treatment technologies, including activated carbon adsorption and ozonation, as potential methods for improving their removal.
As a commissioner, I would support the following priorities:
-Improve pharmaceutical disposal. Expand public awareness of safe medication disposal and promote convenient drug take-back programs so unused prescriptions do not enter the sewer system unnecessarily.
-Advance phosphorus removal and recovery. Continue improving biological and chemical treatment processes to reduce excess phosphorus discharged into waterways while recovering usable phosphorus as a resource.
-Strengthen industrial pollution controls. Work with businesses to prevent harmful chemicals from entering the sewer system and enforce applicable discharge requirements.
-Evaluate advanced treatment technologies. Review the effectiveness, costs, and benefits of technologies such as activated carbon and ozonation to determine where they could provide meaningful reductions in pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants.
-Increase monitoring and transparency. Expand testing for priority contaminants, publish understandable results, and establish measurable goals for reducing pollution.
The MWRD is already taking steps in these areas. My approach would be to build on these efforts, identify gaps, and evaluate improvements based on scientific evidence, measurable environmental benefits, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
Protecting our waterways requires more than treating wastewater after pollution has entered the system. We must also prevent contaminants at their source, invest in effective treatment, and hold ourselves accountable for the results.
Do you believe the MWRD has a role in preventing aquatic invasive species from entering the Chicago waterway system?
Yes, as we all do! As someone that is active in Boy Scouts I believe the MWRD has an important role in helping prevent aquatic invasive species from entering the Chicago waterway system and threatening the Great Lakes ecosystem. As we all do.
The Chicago Area Waterway System connects two major watersheds: the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basin. This connection creates risks that require continued vigilance, especially regarding aquatic invasive species that could harm native fish populations and disrupt the ecological balance of our waterways.
The MWRD should work closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and other state and federal agencies to strengthen prevention efforts. This includes supporting the operation and maintenance of existing protective infrastructure, monitoring waterways for invasive species, and advancing additional safeguards such as the Brandon Road Interbasin Project near Joliet. The project is designed to add multiple deterrents to help prevent invasive carp from moving toward the Great Lakes while maintaining commercial navigation.
As a commissioner, I would support science-based prevention measures, regular evaluations of their effectiveness, and transparent reporting on progress and costs. I would also encourage continued research into ways to reduce the risk of invasive species moving through canals, locks, and other connections between waterways.
Preventing an invasion is far less costly than trying to reverse one after it becomes established. Protecting the Great Lakes, preserving native aquatic life, and safeguarding our waterways require cooperation among agencies, sound planning, and a long-term commitment to prevention.
What specific water infrastructure projects or investments would you pursue if elected?
If elected, I will push for a more proactive, accountable, and results-driven approach to managing the MWRD’s infrastructure. Our communities cannot afford to wait years for essential flood-control projects, allow aging sewer systems to deteriorate, or let critical equipment remain out of service for years at a time. We need to identify problems earlier, move projects from planning to construction faster, and ensure taxpayer dollars deliver measurable results. With eight years as Northfield Township Highway Commissioner and 27 years of experience in fraud and financial crimes, I bring practical infrastructure experience and a strong financial oversight background to these challenges. My priorities would be to reduce flooding, rehabilitate aging sewers, modernize treatment facilities, and hold the District accountable for completing projects on time and within budget.
My priorities would include the following:
1. Expand storm and sanitary sewer inspection and rehabilitation.
Much of our sewer infrastructure is aging, and some systems are approaching 100 years old. Cracked pipes, deteriorating joints, and broken sewer lines allow groundwater and stormwater to enter the sanitary sewer system, taking up capacity needed to transport and treat wastewater.
I would support an expanded storm and sanitary sewer rehabilitation program in partnership with municipalities. Using camera inspections, targeted repairs, and trenchless pipe relining, we can restore aging sewer systems without the cost and disruption of replacing every pipe. The goal is to reduce infiltration, prevent basement backups, reduce overflows, and extend the useful life of existing infrastructure.
2. Reduce the time it takes to complete infrastructure projects.
Taxpayers should not have to wait years for projects that could be completed more efficiently. I would push for a review of the entire project delivery process, from initial planning and engineering through permitting, bidding, construction, and final inspection.
I would prioritize early coordination with municipalities and other agencies, faster internal reviews, standardized designs where appropriate, and realistic construction schedules. I would also support publicly reporting project milestones, delays, change orders, and final costs so commissioners and taxpayers can see where projects are falling behind and why.
When delays occur because of outside agencies, utility conflicts, or contractor performance, the District should identify the problem early and develop a corrective plan. Faster delivery must not come at the expense of safety, engineering quality, or environmental protection.
3. Expand flood-control and stormwater detention projects.
I would work with municipalities to identify neighborhoods that experience repeated flooding and prioritize projects that provide measurable protection. These investments could include detention basins, underground stormwater storage, green infrastructure, and improvements to existing drainage systems.
The MWRD should also strengthen partnerships with local governments to identify projects that can be designed and constructed more efficiently while maximizing flood protection for the dollars invested. With my experience as Highway Commissioner I would campion this.
4. Maintain and modernize existing facilities.
Preventive maintenance should be a priority, not an afterthought. I would push for a comprehensive assessment of aging equipment, pumping stations, treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure to identify the repairs and replacements that should be addressed before equipment fails.
Maintaining existing assets can reduce emergency repair costs, improve reliability, and protect the substantial investments taxpayers have already made. The Lockport Power station being emblematic of not taking care of the problem in a timely manner. This station has been down for 3 years and won’t be back up for another 3 years.
5. Improve wastewater treatment and protect water quality.
I would support cost-effective improvements that reduce phosphorus, harmful contaminants, and sewage overflows into our waterways. I would also encourage the District to evaluate new treatment technologies and make better use of existing facilities before committing to expensive new construction.
6. Demand financial accountability for every project.
My 27 years of experience in fraud and financial crimes have taught me the importance of examining financial records, identifying irregularities, and maintaining accountability. Combined with my eight years as Northfield Township Highway Commissioner, I would bring both financial oversight experience and practical infrastructure experience to the Board.
I would scrutinize project budgets, change orders, schedules, and performance to help ensure public funds are being used as intended. I would also look for opportunities to leverage grants, coordinate funding with local governments, and reduce unnecessary costs without compromising the quality of the work.
My approach is simple: identify the problem, develop a plan, establish a timeline, control costs, and get the job done. Taxpayers deserve more than studies, promises, and projects that drag on for years. They deserve infrastructure that works, flood protection that improves their communities, and a District that takes responsibility for its performance.
I would bring the practical experience of eight years in township government and the financial scrutiny developed over 27 years in fraud and financial crimes to every decision I make as a commissioner. I will ask tough questions, demand clear answers, and push for measurable progress.
The MWRD must be accountable not just for the money it spends, but for the results it delivers. My commitment is to protect our communities, maintain the infrastructure we depend on, reduce unnecessary delays, and make every taxpayer dollar count.