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
January 8, 2026

The Board adopted the 2026 Illinois Legislative Priorities and all other items on the agenda unanimously with little discussion. 

2026 Legislative Priorities (Agenda #23, File No. 25-0968)

• Seek amendment of the District Act pertaining to the industrial waste program, known as the Sewage & Waste Control Ordinance, to increase the civil penalty ranges  for administrative show cause enforcements and for circuit court enforcements, and provide that civil penalties are also available for “per-pollutant” violations and regulatory multiple day violations.  The goal is to incentivize industrial users to improve their pretreatment systems and comply with the Ordinance.
• Seek amendment of the District Act to authorize pay raises for the Board (no mention of by how much) if the Board acts before January 1, 2027 and approves the raise by a 2/3 vote.  
• Seek to amend the District Pension Code to change the 4.19 statutory multiplier to the Actuarially Determined Contribution; raise the taxable wage base on which employee contributions are made to satisfy the Social Security “Safe Harbor’; and allow the District to use any lawfully available revenue source to make its statutory contributions to the Retirement Fund.
• Seek to amend the District Act to allow those participating and completing the apprentice program to take the civil service exam right away.  Because of the delay in people being able to take the exam, a number of these former apprentices cannot wait and take jobs elsewhere.
• Seek to repeal Section 19 of the District Act pertaining to potential District liability for rain-induced flooding.  This section dates to 1907 and was enacted to address issues related to construction of the Sanitary & Ship Canal.  However, some plaintiffs have sought to utilize it for current and different situations.  While the District has been successful in defending that this Section is not applicable, deletion of the Section would save the District time and money.
• Identify opportunities to support legislation pertaining to water re-use and PFAS. Points to HB 2955, the PFAS Wastewater Citizen Protection Act which passed the House and will be picked up by the Senate in the 2026 Spring Session.  Specific bills will be brought to the Board for a determination of support.

Other approved items deferred from December 18 meeting:

• The agreement with the Cook County Sheriff for the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program for 2026 at a cost to the MWRD of up to $80,000.  Comm. Davis thanked his Board colleagues for the 3 prior deferrals which allowed time for more review and consideration.  Comm. Waller asked that the funding amount include funding for community events.  President Steele asked that Comm. Waller provide an email explaining exactly what she wants.  (Agenda #21, File No. 25-0885)
• Awarding a contract for SEPA 3 Paver Walkway Improvement for up to $191,525. (Agenda #16, File No. 25-0962)

New Business

• Vice President Flynn touted the enactment of the PFAS Reduction Act in Illinois which will phase in elimination of PFAS from firefighting equipment.

Time of meeting:  1 hour, including a break and Executive Session between the Committee of the Whole portion and reconvening as the Board to vote on all the items.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting 
October 16, 2025

Special meetings: 2 special meetings of the Board
The Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago meet twice, once in the afternoon of October 16 and also on the morning of October 17th.  The purpose of both meetings was to consider candidates to fill the vacancy in the office of MWRD Executive Director. The meetings were called to order and immediately closed for executive sessions. No action was taken by the Board following either executive session.  The district is currently led by interim Executive Director John Murray.  The previous Executive, Brian Perkovich, retired.

Board Action on October 16 at scheduled Board Meeting

Stormwater: 

• Item #39 25-0778 The Board agreed without discussion to pay the City of Markham to acquire a flood-prone property in an amount not to exceed $450,000.
• Item #28 25-0773 The Board approved without discussion a contract with the engineering firm Bowman Consulting to design a flood control project in Northfield township in an amount not to exceed $2.2 million. That stormwater project, approved previously, will address a 3-mile corridor extending from Glenwood Ave. in Glenview to the Chicago River near Oakton Community College.  It is intended to provide flood relief for 114 single and multi-family residences.

Real Estate:

• Item #15 25-0752 Authorization to accept initial annual rental bid by Sanchez Group to lease 13 acres of District lands bordering the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near the Stickney water treatment plant for a 39-year term for $396,084. This item was pulled for discussion by Commissioner Brady-Davis, who asked staff what benefit could come from allowing such a lengthy lease and how would the rent be adjusted during the least term? Staff replied that long-term leases were preferred so tenants could invest in improvements on the land.  MWRD attorney Susan Morakalis explained rents are adjusted annually with the Consumer Price Index as benchmark and the property value is re-assessed every ten years. The item was returned to the consent agenda.
• Item #19 25-0751 The Board authorized without discussion the sale of less than an acre of District land located at 6861 North Milwaukee Avenue in Niles, Illinois, setting a minimum sale price of $92,130. The parcel is part of the former Niles pumping station near the Des Plaines River. 

Large purchases:

• Item 25 25-0753 The Board approved without discussion awarding Kemira Water Solutions, Inc.  a contract for $21.6 million to furnish and deliver to the District an unspecified amount of Ferric Chloride.   The chemical is used in wastewater treatment for phosphate precipitation and as a coagulant as well as for odor control.  

Forever Chemicals:

• Item 33 25-0745. Authority to increase Contract 25-105-11 Laboratory Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Adsorbable Organic Fluorine in Wastewater samples to Enthalpy Analytical, LLC in an amount of $36,300 from $63,500 to an amount not to exceed $99,800. Commissioner Waller pulled this item from the agenda for discussion.  She praised staff and the district for continuing to pursue research and sampling for PFAS chemicals and said that she looks forward to the ability for in-house testing with reports available to the public. The item was then returned to the consent agenda.

New Business:

• President Steele told the Board plans were being made for celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, with details available soon.  
• Commissioner Davis thanked staff for their work in a ground-breaking wetland mitigation project in Sauk Village in Chicago’s southern suburbs.  
• The Water Reuse Association of Illinois recognized Commission Waller for her passion in the pursuit of a controlling IL law that will allow expanded re-use of treated water.   The MWRD was given an award for its collective efforts.

Observer:  Laurie Morse          Commissioner Garcia absent           Meeting length: 32 minutes

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
Board Meeting
April 17, 2025

The request to advertise a contract to furnish and deliver lamps and emergency lighting was deleted by the Acting Executive Director (Agenda Item # 18, 25-0294).  All other agenda items were approved, with no discussion of the merits.  

• Ann Hokum of ETHOS (Environment, Transportation, and Open Space, a registered block club in the South Shore Community) raised concerns about the proposed Quantum Computing development at the South Works site and the potential toxic pollutants at the site that could impact Lake Michigan through storm water run-off.  The group is also concerned about the issue of industrial water usage at the site and wants to make sure there is a closed system used to prevent any discharges.
• Commissioner Waller did pull the reappointment of two people to the MWRD’s Ethics Commission for discussion, but in order for an explanation as to how the public can find out how to submit a complaint to the Ethics Commission.  Acting Executive Director John Murray said that the information is on the MWRD web site.  Note:  This Observer did a search on the MWRD web site and found the information is located at https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/management-and-administration/ethics-commission-and-ethics-advisor
• During the New Business section, President Steele and Commissioners McElroy Kirkwood and Brady-Davis talked about the MWRD’s trip to Springfield the prior week to meet with legislators of both parties to lobby for their legislative priorities.  Commissioner Waller mentioned one bill that the MWRD supported, HB2515, that has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate.  This bill is called the PFAS Wastewater Citizen Protection Act.

While not discussed, there were 2 items pertaining to Stormwater Management:  

• A report on submittals from municipalities and townships seeking assistance through the MWRD’s Voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program (Agenda Item #29, 25-0308.)  There were 3 submissions, identifying 40 properties.  After review, 2 of the 3 proposals in Lyons and Markham are recommended as projects, but for a total of 22 properties.  There will be a subsequent request for Board approval to negotiate intergovernmental agreements.
• A request for authority to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of La Grange Park for the MWRD to fund $4 M of the total estimated cost of $13.2 M for a Central Area Sewer Separation Project.  This project is expected to mitigate flooding, benefitting an estimated 522 structures, and to reduce impacts on local roadways by increasing sewer capacity ad providing detention for excess stormwater runoff.

Length of Business Meeting:  30 minutes, with an Executive Session of 1 hour and 10 minutes prior to New Business at the end of the meeting.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
December 5, 2024

MWRD President Kari Steele commented that this might have been the shortest Board meeting ever.  For the first time (at least since the League has been observing), none of the Commissioners identified any of the 38 agenda items for discussion at the meeting.  The Commissioners said that all their questions had been answered by the Executive Director prior to the meeting.  All items were passed unanimously, and included:

• An amendment to the User Charge Ordinance which is to recover each user’s proportional share of the operations, maintenance, and replacement costs incurred by the MWRD for the treatment and disposal of sewage, industrial waste, and other wastes generated by the user.  This amendment will be effective January 1, 2025.  (Agenda item 1, #UC24-001)
• A number of purchase orders and awards of contracts.  Several of the low bidders for the contracts were well under the District’s estimate of the expected costs, including Items 21 (#24-1054, 25% lower), 22 (#24-1056, 34% lower), and 24 (24-1058, 14% lower).
• Authority to negotiate and enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Villages of Crestwood and Midlothian for the design, construction, land acquisition, maintenance, operation, and ownership of the Flood Control Project on the Calumet-Sag Tributary C for up to $5.5 M. (Item 38, #24-1099)

During the time for Public Comment a person from the Historical Society of Harvey raised objections to the taking of homes for the proposed flood control project there, which has been the subject of public comments over many recent meetings.

This was newly-elected Commissioner Sharon Waller’s first meeting. The seat formerly held by Mariyanna Spyropoulos, who was elected as Cook County Clerk for the Circuit Court, has not yet been filled by an appointee of the Governor.  All other Commissioners were present except Eira Corral Sepulveda.

Length of meeting:  50 minutes, including a 15-minute Executive Session.

Observer - Priscilla Mims