Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
May 7, 2026

All agenda items were approved unanimously, other than one item which was deleted by the Executive Director:  item 15, Authority to advertise a Contract to furnish and deliver janitorial supplies to various locations (#26-0324).

There was quite a bit of discussion at today’s meeting, with the most centered around how to reach more municipalities with the Green Alley Program for which municipalities are invited to solicit projects to install permeable pavers to help alleviate stormwater run-off and flooding, which the MWRD will partially fund.  The list of approved projects was discussed in the Observer Report for the April 16 meeting.  At today’s meeting, the proposed intergovernmental agreements were on the agenda (items 34 to 41).

• The projects are in areas all across the County, with the MWRD contributing up to the dollar amounts indicated:  Dolton ($556,100 for 2 alleys, #26-0304); Forest Park ($214,300 for 1 alley, #26-0305); Maywood ($1, 005,400 for 2 alleys, #26-0306); Norridge ($410,00 for 2 alleys, #26-0307); Northlake ($263,600 for 2 parking lots, #26-0308); River Forest ($195,600 for 1 parking lot, #26-0309); Riverdale ($449,900 for 1 alley, #26-0310); and Skokie ($464,500 for 2 alleys, #26-0311).  
• The letters seeking approval of the agreements all cited that these were chosen in part because of the visibility of the projects.
• Comm. Waller expressed her support, but noted that none of the projects are in Chicago and asked what are the barriers to Chicago submitting applications.  The MWRD meets quarterly with the Chicago Department of Water Management, but Comm. Waller noted that the alleys fall under the auspices of the Chicago Department of Transportation.  Executive Director Murray explained that it is much easier to have a single point of contact with Chicago.  President Steele said that Chicago has its own stormwater management ordinance, which is generally not true for the smaller municipalities.
• Exec. Director Murray also mentioned that each of the 50 Alders in Chicago gets menu money each year in the budget to fund infrastructure projects, but the Alders and their wards have other priorities for that money than permeable pavers.  But in any event. If Alders want to submit a proposal for their ward, Exec. Director Murray said they should be encouraged to work through the Dept of Water Management.
• Comm. Davis separately raised his willingness to work on accelerating more support for Disadvantage Impacted Areas which do not have the money to partially fund these projects.
• Comm. Corral Sepulveda asked Exec Director Murray for an update on the conversations with the Dept. of Water Management subsequent to this meeting.  She also asked whether a marketing package could be put together on the various programs for use with the Chicago Park District and others, similar to what they have for the programs with the Chicago Public Schools.
• Comm. Davis stated that President Trump has proposed drastic cuts to the federal funds for Clean Water and Clean Drinking Water which helps funds the MWRD programs, and asked Executive Director Murray to update the Board on what the national organization to which the MWRD belongs is doing to push back on these proposed cuts.

Another item that generated discussion was the item seeking authority for the MWRD to participate in the yearly WEFTEC (Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference) Operations Challenge.  (Agenda item 31, #26-0291)

• Estimated cost is $30,000, including travel.  The MWRD has been competing since 2007.
• Comm. Corral Sepulveda said she supported this because it builds morale, incentivizes employees to push themselves, builds leadership and team building, and builds intergovernmental relations.  Comms. Garcia, Brown, Waller and President Steele all agreed.  President Steele also said that it results in the participating employees carrying out their responsibilities with precision, accuracy, and speed.

Other discussion included:

• Comm. Waller citing the value of all the programming for Chicago Water Week, May 3-9).  Among the programs was one on Chicago’s proposed Green Infrastructure program, which is now open for public comments.
• In response to a question from Comm. Corral Sepulveda, the Acting Director of Operations explained the Distributed Control System Test Cabinet proposed to be purchased for the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant will allow for testing outside of a live system and the parts can also be used as back-up. (Agenda item 16, #26-0275)
• Comm. McElroy Kirkwood verified that if the extension of the CTA does not go forward, the MWRD has the right to reacquire the land and easements approved to be sold to the CTA at the same price.  (Agenda item 33, #26-0318)
• President Steele thanked the staff for the Open House event at the O’Brien Plant, and noted that upcoming Open Houses will be held at the Stickney Plant on May 16 and at the Calumet Plant on May 30 from 10 am to 3 pm.
• Comm. Brown reported that under the Cook County Safe Disposable Pharmaceutical program, from Dec. 1, 2024 thru Nov. 30 2025, 36,458 pounds of unused and/or expired pharmaceuticals were collected from 139 sites and safely disposed of preventing them from getting into the water system.  The MWRD was responsible for 45 of those sites and 9,085 pounds.
• The MWRD is heading to Springfield next week for a lobby day with the General Assembly.

Time of meeting:  1 hour 45 minutes, including a 25-minute Executive Session.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting​
April 16, 2026-10:30 A.M.

Agenda Items:

​#12-26-0265- Commissioner Waller asked ED Murray to outline the current benefits of membership in CURRENT. ED Murray reported that MWRD was a founding member. Current concentrates on emerging technologies and work force development. The focus is on technical development. Our membership gives the MWRD a place on the resource consortium. The National Science Foundation has given funding to the organization and there is always the possibility that the MWRD can be a possible recipient of these grants.

#23-26-0257- Commissioner Waller was pleased to see the MWRD was putting remaining BTU’s to use. ED Murray said that the MWRD uses all the energy during the winter months. He said that he would be happy to give a full report to the Board on savings. As to whether the MWRD can reach energy neutrality, the District uses a lot of energy to pump water out of the two deep tunnels. Also an aging infrastructure impacts energy use. 

#30-26-0260- Report on the Green Infra-structure: Commissioner Kirkwood asked if the MWRD reached out to every municipality. Murray said yes.  What are the requirements to participate?

1. Apply, 2) All applications are then evaluated. 3) The MWRD also helps municipalities to develop projects, if they do not have sufficient staff to complete applications themselves.

The MWRD staff does all of the evaluations in house. Projects are done on a yearly basis. Commissioner Brady-Davis asked if there have been projects done in Dolton. Murray replied that they are currently working with Dolton staff to make that happen. President Steele reminded all commissioners that they should publicize the program to community leaders when they are out and about.

Commissioner Davis asked how the work with disproportionately impacted communities is going? Murray replied that there are two staff members (one a civil engineer)  helping with outreach and that it is working pretty well.  President Steele agreed. Commissioner Davis asked if the “technical assistance” has resulted in the creation of successful projects. ED Murray committed to getting more information on this to the Board.

Deferred or Deleted Agenda Items-

Three items deferred from the April 2 Board meeting were not mentioned at the April 16 meeting. They are agenda items #4,6, & 7.
#4-26-0235- Authorization to revise Contract Change Order Policy for Capital Improvement Construction Projects.
#6-26-0216- Authority to advertise Contract 26-023-11. Furnish and Deliver Lab Chemicals to various locations. 
#7-26-0217- Authority to advertise Contract to Furnish Deliver Stem Gate Valves to Various Locations for One Year. 
These items were all deferred at the April 2 meeting by Commissioner Garcia, who was absent from the April 16,  2026 board meeting.

New Business: 

• President Steels congratulated the Office of Public Affairs for receiving a Gold Level award for education and community outreach work.
• Commissioner Davis brought up the reduction of remote work from 4 to 3 days. He said that remote work reduces stress and helps to retain a strong work force. Commissioner Waller agreed, saying that remote work promotes more diversity in the work force.

Summary of Requests for more information from the Executive Director:

1. Commissioner Brown requested a list of communities that have applied to Green Infrastructure Program in the last 3 years.
2. Commissioner Corral Sepulveda asked for a list of the communities that applied but were not approved and why.
3. Commissioner Davis requested information on the success of the District’s technical assistance to disproportionately impacted communities.

Observer: Georgia Gebhardt                    Meeting Length - 40 minutes       No Executive Session

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
April 2, 2026; 10:30 a.m.

Board Discussion and Action:
Commissioner Garcia raised the issue of the difficulty of finding minority women vendors. He asked if the MWRD was reaching out to vendors outside of the agency’s data base. Staff replied that they also review data bases from the City of Chicago and found no firms that fit the need.  Commissioners asked if staff reached out to Cook County and to the State. It was suggested that perhaps they needed to reach  beyond the virtual to identify vendors. 
Commissioner Corral-Sepulveda asked about certification activity and about how MWRD determines how far to reach out for vendors. She asked if contractors can be certified after the contract has been adopted. Staff said yes, this “rolling” certification can be done. 
Commissioner Garcia asked that there be better reporting of the numbers and the process. President Steele requested ED Murray to include all the questions/answers on this subject in an email to the commissioners. She also reminded the commissioners that they should send their questions through the Executive Director. He will then direct them to the appropriate staff for response.  #5-0212

Commissioner Kirkwood asked why polymer is crucial. ED Murray explained that it is used in sludge thickening, separating water and solids in the production of cake.  Commissioner Waller asked if this expenditure would be required if the Red Line extension was not happening and could the MWRD recover any costs from the CTA. Murray answered that there would be no reimbursement. He explained that they would use pumps to pump sludge into a geo-pool where it settles out in fifteen days. Centrifuges are much quicker. Centrifuges are expected to be online by 2028.  #8-26-0222

Commissioner Brady-Davis expressed appreciation that the Harvey Sewer Improvements project was getting underway. This is an 18-month project. She asked how this is being communicated to the citizens of Harvey. Staff replied that communication is hard-wired into every contract.  Several commissioners asked for assurance that this communication would be happening and indeed, that those involved should “over communicate” to the citizens. Commissioner Garcia asked if there were any budgetary issues in Harvey. Murray replied that the capital funding was through grant money. Harvey is only responsible for the ongoing maintenance after project completion.     #9-26-0225

Comm. Garcia Deferred Agenda Items: # 4,6,7   All dealing with inability to find minority contractors due to specifics of need.

Duration of Meeting: 66 minutes
Executive Session: No               

Observer: Georgia Gebhardt    

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board Meeting
March 19, 2026

All items on the agenda were approved, with 3 items discussed:

• Authority to advertise a contract to analyze wastewater and biosolids samples collected from industrial facilities and water reclamation plants for PFAs  (forever chemicals) for purposes of monitoring by the Monitoring and Research Dept.  Executive Director Murray explained that this is to continue work that is being done, though this will add samples from water reclamation plants.  Comm. Waller wanted to make sure that the ultimate report would be shared with the Illinois EPA and the public.  Exec. Dir. Murray said he was not opposed to do so with appropriate explanation of results.  (Agenda #13, 26-0172)
• Authority to issue a 6-month extension to Grand Prairie Water Commission to perform soil borings, wetland studies, and soil sampling on properties owned by the MWRD in the Cal-Sag Channel in Palos Hills and Palos Park as a possible route for a new water transmission line to connect to Chicago’s water system.  Exec. Director Murray and General Counsel Morakalis explained that this line would be to furnish water to Joliet and several surrounding communities outside of the MWRD’s service territory.  (Agenda #31, 26-0201)
• Comm. Garcia asked for a status of the MWRD bond situation in connection with a Report on a Request for Proposal for Professional Underwriting Services for MWRD Bond Sales.  Treasurer Steve Lux explained that there is a lot of volatility in the market now and he does not expect to go to the market until August to refinance some existing bonds.  Comm. Garcia said he would like to have a future presentation so that all the Commissioners could hear what he, in his role as Finance Chair, has learned from working with Mr. Lux.
• Not discussed:  authority to purchase 15.82 acres for construction of a Flood Control Project from the Des Plaines River to Glenwood Lane in Maine and Northfield Townships that is expected to benefit 114 single and multi-family structures.  Cost for the land is $8.15 M + closing costs. (Agenda #29, 26-0174)

New business:  President Steele raised Agenda Item #2 which recognizes March 22 as World Water Day and said that this year’s theme is Water and Gender, highlighting the role that women play in the field and promoting more women in careers in water.

No Executive Session.
Time of Meeting:  40 minutes, including a 5-minute break.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims  

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting –
March 5, 2026

 

Agenda Items Of Interest
All Consent agenda items approved 9/0 after three roll call votes for the following: 
26-0149 Funds for MWRD picnic (9/0), 
26-0159 Change MBE/WBE/VBE De-watering facility (8/0, 1 Abstain Coral-Sepulveda)

• Comm. Waller concerned about cost, right-of-way under railroad tracks, improved public information and quantifying ROI in dollars.
• Comm. Coral-Sepulveda questioned the Memo of Understanding (MOU) with CTA which had included the MWRD DEI commitments, but which CTA cannot accept due to federal source of grant.  Waller supports accepting the CTA grant. 
• Comm. Garcia appreciates that managing MWRD DEI while complying with federal mandates for grant funds will be more challenging for next three years at least.
• Comm. Brady-Davis suggested a name for the de-watering facility. Pres. Steele recommends that percentage of $82 M contributed by each Agency be taken into consideration before naming.

26-0132 Lease Assignment for Village of Crestwood Board votes “No” (7-No, 2 Abstain Brown and Flynn) on partial assignment of lease from the Village of Crestwood to permit sale of alcohol and video gaming.  

• Village of Crestwood Mayor, Ken Klein, returned to ask for approval citing Village’s need for funding. Lease assignment for alcohol and video gaming is appropriate use of property and within the authority of the Village under the current lease agreement, per Village’s attorney, Burt Odelson. 
• Tessa Murray, Friend of the Chicago River is opposed and considers this development a risk to the ecosystem adjacent to the waterway; but if approved, offered to work with the Village to make highest and best use of the land. 
• Michael Voltentesda (Crestwood resident since 1990) is opposed.  Cited drop in property value, increased loitering, littering and crime.  Crestwood already has video gaming and alcohol.  Better use of this land is green space, walking paths, veterans’ memorial.  Development should reflect sustainable uses and strengthen family accessibility. 

​New Business and also in items 1-6. 
Recognition of Women’s History Month and events, contributions of Irish Americans, Shannon Rovers 100 years.  MWRD marches in two St. Patrick’s Day parades: Countryside on March 7, and Chicago on 14 March. Approve funds for MWRD picnic. Government Finance Officers Award for 2025 Budget (42nd yr).

Commissioner Requests

• 26-0147 Comm. Waller asks MWRD staff to consider lessons learned from last reverse auction which did not beat the market and doesn’t end until Aug 2026
• 26-0138 Sharon Waller requested consideration to allow staff to use MWRD charging stations.  C. Davis requested the projected timeline to meet the 2030 electric vehicle goal and asked for options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, if goals are not met due to lack of available e-vehicles.  M. Garcia and ED Director Murray agreed that it is time to revisit the biogas issue in a Study Session.

Observer:   Victoria L Cerinich                        Commissioner(s) Absent: None    Executive Session (No)

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting  
February 19, 2026

This Board meeting began and ended with Commissioners recognizing the contributions of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. to the City and its people, with Commissioners Brady-Davis and Steele giving especially moving accounts of the Rev. Jackson’s impact on their lives and careers.

Finance: The MWRD had cash disbursements of $70 million in January.

Projects: 

• Item #13 26-0120 After approving $27 million in electrical upgrades for the DesPlaines-based Kirie Water Treatment Plant at the February 5th Board Meeting, Commissioners approved without discussion at this meeting a $10 million contract with John Burns Construction Company, LLC for rehabilitation of portions of a service tunnel at the Kirie plant.  

Industrial Waste:

• Item #21 26-0134. Authority to settle lawsuit in Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago v. Electronic Plating Co., Case No. 2025L006657, seeking an injunction to keep sewer plugged and to impose additional civil penalties for violations of a final Board order entered in prior Show Cause proceedings, and to collect other amounts owed by Electronic Plating pursuant to the District’s ordinances
• This item was flagged by Commissioner Davis. In extensive discussion it was noted that Electronic Plating Company had been a serial industrial polluter since at least 2019 and various fines, other civil penalties and court orders had not stopped discharges exceeding MWRD clean water standards. MWRD attorneys confirmed the Company had violated a final Board order and said the company’s sewers were plugged on June 6, 2025.  It was noted the company had essentially ceased doing business.   
• After an initial deferral and discussion, Commission Davis agreed to return this item to the agenda, where the settlement agreement was approved.

Recreation and Community:

• Item #25  26-0132. President Steele deferred this item without discussion.
• Village of Crestwood Mayor Ken Klein made an impassioned plea to the Board in public comments, saying the Village was depending on revenue from gaming to pull the community out of a money-losing situation at the Crestwood Golf Course on it’s MWRD leasehold south of the Cal-Sag Channel and west of Cicero Ave.   He was distressed the item had been pulled from the meeting agenda on short notice, despite prior conversations with staff and two commissioners.  The Mayor said MWRD staff had agreed to a partial assignment of lease from the Village of Crestwood, to the Village of Crestwood and 4Crestwood LLC as co-tenants. The partial lease assignment would all allow the sale and consumption of alcohol and video gaming.  

Meeting Length: 55 minutes   Executive Session:  None  

Observer: Laurie Morse