MWRD Adopts 2026 Illinois Legislative Priorities

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