MWRD Hears Concerns from ETHOS Regarding the Proposed South Works Project

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