Incumbent Democrats all hold insurmountable leads over a trio of Republican challengers for seats on the board of commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, or MWRD, according to unofficial results.
Incumbents Eira Corral Sepúlveda, Precious Brady-Davis and Beth McElroy Kirkwood have large leads over Republican candidates Michelle Pennington, Timothy Rueckert and Jill Shestokas, with 71% of the total vote counted.
Democrats currently hold every commissioner seat on the MWRD board and appear poised to hold on to them all.
The six candidates were vying to fill three available six-year terms. The top three vote-getters will win the seats.
The nine-member board is elected to staggered terms.
Incumbent Democrat Cameron “Cam” Davis is running unopposed to fill an unexpired two-year term on the board.
The position of MWRD commissioner has become increasingly high profile as issues of stormwater management and wastewater treatment have gone mainstream.
Intense rainfalls have taxed the MWRD’s Deep Tunnel system to its current limit and left residents vulnerable to flooding. Meanwhile “forever chemicals” and other pollutants are challenging the capabilities of wastewater treatment plants not just in Chicago but across the country.
Candidates have promoted a variety of solutions, from the expansion of green infrastructure projects to the prioritization of prescription medication take-back events that will keep pharmaceuticals out of the wastewater stream.
Contact Patty Wetli: pwetli@wttw.com
