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
December 18, 2025

Agenda Items Approved:

• ​After a month of deliberations and a public hearing, the board approved annual tax levies and adopted a 2026 final budget of $1.8B that includes investing in public infrastructure, stormwater and flood management, and with new consideration of the long-term environmental and financial implications of permit compliance.  Soon to be available is an online interactive budget dashboard*  The 2025 budget was just under $1.7B. Ordinance 025-0004A 
• They also adopted an Ordinance establishing the minimum qualifications and duties for the MWRD Inspector General and are convening search and selection committees for appointing an IG to replace the current interim, Patrick Blanchard, whose contract was extended thru June 2026 at the December 4, 2025 board meeting.  025-012
• Previously twice deferred by Commissioner Sepulveda, the board approved a $250,000 contract with Web-based Compliance Software.  Commissioner Sepulveda asked that in the future RFPs include a “no charge” provision to allow business to upload redundant information from other submissions.  #22 25-0848

Agenda Items Deferred/Deleted: 

• For the 3rd time, Commission Davis asked that the Intergovernmental Agreement with the CC Sheriff’s Office for the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program in the amount of $80,000 be deferred so that his team can digest the responses received from MWRD staff.  The board agreed to the deferral but voiced several strong supporting comments including those reported in the November and then again at the December 4 meeting.  Brady-Davis said she understands that the issue isn’t the value of the program but who pays.  Garcia strongly supports and wants more boxes in communities in 2027.  Sepulveda asked that staff develop a strategy for getting the pharmaceutical association(s) more involved in 2027.  #43 25-0885
• Commissioner Flynn deferred a $191,525,00 landscaping contract for a Paver Walkway Improvement.  No reason was given.  #35 25-0962
• President Steele deferred with no discussion the Recommendations for the State of Illinois 2026 Legislative Program.  Expect to see it on the January 8, 2026 agenda.   #45 25-0968

Other Interesting Items:  

• Authorization was given for payment to the Water Research Foundation for the 2026 Annual Research Commitment not to exceed $190,663.  Commissioner Waller now serves on a new committee covering IT Data Centers: Understanding Economic Considerations and Opportunities for Water and Wastewater Utilities  #20 25-0941

No Executive Session; All commissioners present; Length of meeting: 70 minutes 

Observer - Diane Edmundson

Metropolitan Water Reclamation Water District (MWRD) Board Meeting  
February 6, 2025

Commissioner Cam Davis deferred authorization to continue an $80,000 payment to the CC Sheriff’s office Prescription Drug Take-Back program.  He noted that in January of 2022,  the Illinois Legislature passed a law to shift the cost of take-back programs to the Pharmaceutical Companies and asked what progress staff has made to effect this change.  He is open to passing the resolution for a period of 2-3 months, and noted that when, in the past, he asked staff when it would be ready, he was told “we will look into it”. President Steele voiced her strong support for the intergovernmental agreement and noted that 95.5% is for administrative costs. Waller noted that it would likely be the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association that would be the contact and the one responsible for payment. Several commissioners asked for more information including the legislative text, a 2-year invoice of costs, next steps/ timelines.   #24 25-0082

Other Items of Interest

• Attorney, Jeffrey Mathis, was appointed as a Hearing Officer for hearing appeals under the MWRD’s User Charge Ordinance; for conducting proceedings under the Sewage and Waste Control Ordinance and the Watershed Management Ordinance; and for conducting other administrative proceedings as needed.   #1 25-0102
• The Board approved Ordinance 025-002 directing the County Clerk to reduce the levy of taxes on Capital Improvement Bonds for the levy year 2024.  Commissioner Brady-Davis thanked the Treasurer for the reduction and for saving taxpayer money.  #2 025-002
• Cam Davis asked about the cost/benefit of approving Staff’s request to accept pricing for the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits for 2025 and 2026. The Director of Operations & Maintenance said it would result in an $800,000 cost of energy savings for the District.  #7 25-008
• The Board authorized payment in the amount of no more than $100,000 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the MWRD’s share of the cost for the Upper Des Plaines River and Tributaries Study.  Commission Waller used this as an example of the type of items she would like to see be “hot linked” in the agenda to provide more information and transparency to the public. President Steele asked the Executive Director to meet with Commissioner Waller and bring forward a proposal to the board for consideration.  #23 25-0106
• Approval was granted to settle an eminent domain easement lawsuit for $197,500 to be paid  from the Stormwater Management Fund for the Addison Creek Channel improvements project. #25 25-0110
• Approved a contract not to exceed $7.14 M to haul processed biosolids from two plants. 
  
•       Meeting Length:  45 minutes    NO Executive Session     No Public Speakers    
  
•  Three Commissioners were absent [Garcia, Brown, Sepulveda]

​Observer - Diane Edmundson

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Commissioners
Special Meeting of MWRD Committee on Budget and Employment
November 7, 2019

The Committee met to consider the Executive Director’s 2020 Budget Recommendations contained in the October 15 book, along with the proposed changes submitted by the Executive Director on October 30, 2019.  The initial recommendations and the changes may all be accessed at http://mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx  and clicking on the “meeting details” for the entry for this Nov. 7 meeting.  The Recommendations as amended were accepted. 

Next Steps in Budget Process:

• Public Hearing on Dec. 5 at 2 pm
• Special Board Meeting on Dec. 12 at 10:30 am to consider further amendments and adopt budget
• Board Meeting on Dec. 19 at 10:30 am to consider any further, and final, amendments

Budget Overview (reflecting changes):

• Total proposed budget of $1.089 billion, a decrease of 10.9% from 2019.
• Total proposed tax levy is $652.6 million, an increase of 1.4% from 2019.
• Number of employees (Full Time Equivalents, or FTEs) are 1,953, down by 14 from 2019.

The Commissioners heard from representatives from each MWRD department who presented the overview of that department’s proposed and 2019 budget and employee count, the 2019 operational highlights, and the primary initiatives for 2020.  Their slide presentations may also be found at http://mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx. Only a few of the Commissioners asked questions.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Maintenance & Operations will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for marketing and developing biosolids.  Plan to hire an outside firm rather than add staff because need to fine new outlets.  The changing weather that is bringing more rain increases the costs to the District.
• Engineering plans to review contract language and requirements to see if more bids for RFPs might be obtained to ensure the MWRD is getting the most favorable prices. 
• Stormwater Management averages only 37 days after submission to issue permits.  In 2020, the plans are to continue the Addison Creek Reservoir construction and award the Addison Creek Chanel Improvements project to reduce overbank flooding.  Commissioner Shore said she remains concerned that the MWRD has had problems spending all of the tax levy for the Stormwater Management Fund in past years, though it appears that that will be done in 2019.  She wonders if consideration should be given to contracting outside of the District if Staff cannot generate enough projects internally.
• The Monitoring and Research Department had a long list of accomplishments for 2019 and a number of new projects for 2020.  The Director explained that the employees are now organized by programs and projects, rather than particular specialties.  In the past, if you were in the soil area, you only worked on soil-related projects.  This new organization means they can work more efficiently and so will be able to eliminate 6 unfilled positions.
• The Law Department expects that the revised Ethics Ordinance will be ready before the end of 2019.  Commissioner Davis raised the idea of the Board hiring its own attorney.  The General Counsel responded that that could be done, but the Law Department’s client is the MWRD, and the Board is part of the MWRD.
• The General Administration Budget is up by $2.8 million over 2019; $2.4 million of which is proposed for a 2% increase in the salaries of non-union employees.  Low-flow toilets were installed in the main MWRD building in 2019.  Already in 2019 the prescription drug collection program has exceeded the number of pounds of drugs collected and disposed of in 2018.
• Public Affairs helped create a road show to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the MWRD, and has a new storybook for children called “Where Does My Poop Go?”!!!
• Commissioner Shore asked the Director of Information Technology whether there is a need for a Chief Information Security Officer.  Director Sudduth said that he is going to try to recruit someone who could help fill that role, but there is a great demand for qualified people in the private sector at higher salaries  He may also look to outside services.
• Human Resources has an RFP coming for a compensation and benefits study to be completed in 2020.  Commissioner Shore asked that the staff advise what the impact on the budget the parental leave policy has had.
• During 2020 the Commissioners and staff will embark on a new 5-year strategic plan.
• Commissioner Shore asked whether the MWRD should consider seeking legislation from Springfield that would permit the District to contribute larger amounts to the Pension Fund, particularly when the District has one-time revenues, such as the TIF-surplus that the City of Chicago is releasing to the MWRD and the other government entities.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims