Commissioner PBD Made history and became the first openly Black trans woman appointed to public office in Cook County history and the first to serve on a water reclamation district in the US.

This event marked the first of two major projects that will provide flood control benefits for six communities in the west suburbs along Addison Creek. These projects will provide flood control benefits for six communities in the west suburbs along Addison Creek: City of Northlake and Villages of Bellwood, Broadview, Melrose Park, Stone Park and Westchester. The 600-acre-foot Addison Creek Reservoir can hold up to 200 million gallons of storage capacity and will connect with the Addison Creek Channel.

The District, Village of Crestwood and other officials celebrate the completion of the $7.7-million Crestwood Flood Control Project after two years of construction and eight years of planning. This project provides flood relief for 82 structures in the vicinity of 135th Street and Central Avenue.

This green initiative project provides flood relief for 82 structures in the vicinity of 135th Street and Central Avenue. The village of Lincolnwood unveiled its very first green alley at the intersection of Touhy Ave., North Kilpatrick and North Keating Ave. This is a significant step towards sustainable urban development. The MWRD contributed up to $95,000 toward the permeable pavers which will collect 47,000 gallons of water per rain event. By incorporating stormwater management techniques, this sustainable space will help reduce pollution.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Prescription Drug Take Back Program collects and destroys unwanted prescription drugs at 129 permanent collection sites. Since the partnership began collecting in 2018, more than 40,000 pounds of drugs have been collected, including 7,200 pounds of pharmaceuticals in 2023. Over that time, the CCSO estimates it has destroyed more than 97 million pills through the Drug Take Back Program. Extending this partnership another year allows MWRD to continue an important program that assists in the prevention of pharmaceutical pollution in our waterways (MWRD's 7 water reclamation plants-WRP) and helps continue efforts to maintain a clean water environment.

This strong fiscal stewardship allows the MWRD to protect the regional water environment and serve 5.19 million residents living across Chicago and 128 communities. This investment made by MWRD is maximizing public dollars toward the protection of critical water infrastructure and the environment while also uplifting a financial institution uniquely positioned to offer women more business opportunities. The MWRD Treasury Section executed its first certificate of deposit (CD) investment with Chicago-based First Women’s Bank (FWB). The $1 million CD, at a 4.50-percent rate, is the first government account for FWB, the only women-founded, women-owned and women-led commercial bank in the country.

An agreement approved by MWRD Board of Commissioners established

The MWRD Board of Commissioners has approved an agreement with the Village of Brookfield to implement structural upgrades to the Burlington Avenue Storm Sewer. The agreement marks a step forward in flood prevention efforts within Brookfield. The Burlington Avenue Storm Sewer Improvements Project is one of 10 projects that the MWRD selected to support through its Stormwater Partnership Program (SPP), following a call for projects in late 2022. The program funds projects that address flooding through a variety of traditional engineering solutions including localized detention, upsizing critical storm sewers and culverts, pumping stations, establishing drainage ways, as well as green infrastructure. This infrastructure can reduce flooding and prevent damage to residential homes and businesses.

A $1.4 billion budget was approved to continue the MWRD’s work to transform wastewater into clean water, mitigate flooding, recover resources, protect public health and area water resources, and invest in innovation to improve water quality and lower carbon emissions.

The MWRD contributed $360,000 toward the construction of a roadside bioswale and permeable pavers in the parking lane of Winchester Avenue, as part of a larger $3.4 million disaster relief project.

Space to Grow converts playlots at Chicago Public Schools into sustainable places to play and learn. “Schoolyard transformations prioritize MWRD’s community partnerships that help improve stormwater management, while also providing outdoor play activities, learning spaces and environmental sustainability,”

The MWRD contributed $208,000 towards the installation of the permeable pavers that the Village of Flossmoor installed along Sunset Avenue to Bob O Link Road on Berry Lane. The project is located in an area where the street frequently flooded impacting local residents. About 30,000 square feet of existing asphalt pavement was replaced with permeable pavement, providing 84,500 gallons of design retention capacity.

These 12 projects designed to collect stormwater runoff and mitigate flooding through green infrastructure elements were selected by the MWRD for funding. The Board of Commissioners approved the selected projects on May 2 as part of the annual call for projects through the Green Infrastructure Partnership Program (GIPP). The 12 projects were chosen from a field of 35 pre-applications and 22 full applications, with the MWRD placing a priority on disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs) in search of green infrastructure upgrades. These projects include green alleys, green parking lots, bioswales and a green roof in Blue Island. The green roof at the Blue Island Public Library, at 2433 York St., is expected to help mitigate flooding in the project area and demonstrate the benefits of constructing green infrastructure.

$20 million toward 26 stormwater management projects aimed at bolstering resiliency across Cook County, with special emphasis on underserved communities. The $20 million ARPA allocation, authorized by the MWRD Board of Commissioners and Cook County, will support various stages of project development, including planning, engineering, and construction.