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MWRD To Advertise to Continue to Analyze Wastewater and Biosolids for PFAs

3/25/2026

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

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Maintenance of DEI Program at Risk in View of New Federal Policies for Grants.

3/11/2026

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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)

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Board Approves Additional $9.5M Investment in Kirie Water Treatment Plant

3/4/2026

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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

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MWRD To Advertise to Continue to Analyze Wastewater and Biosolids for PFAs

Maintenance of DEI Program at Risk in View of New Federal Policies for Grants.

Board Approves Additional $9.5M Investment in Kirie Water Treatment Plant

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