Primary Pop Quiz: Some Voters will Have to Write In Their Choice for MWRD Commissioner
In this year’s March 20th primary in Illinois, many voters will face an unusual challenge: either write in their preferred candidate for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Commissioner or leave that responsibility to Governor Bruce Rauner.
The MWRD is a billion dollar state-run agency that handles water treatment, stormwater management, sewage disposal, reservoir maintenance, and the ecological health of 5.3 million people over 900 square miles — most of Cook County. In 1900 the District built the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, reversing the flow of the Chicago river. Today the MWRD controls the largest wastewater treatment facility in the world, powers over half of its treatment facilities through bacteria, and is currently in the second phase of its Deep Tunnel Project — one of the largest civil engineering feats ever undertaken. They also sell compost.
The Election
When former MWRD Commissioner Timothy Bradford passed away on December 1st, 2017, his departure left an unexpected vacancy on the Board of Commissioners. As is normally the case, every two years three commissioner positions go up for election on MWRD’s board (see Chicago Tonight’s guide for information about those candidates).
With Bradford’s vacancy, now there are four positions on the ballot. Under usual circumstances, each potential candidate has from September to December to collect signatures to make it on to their party’s March primary ballot. Because Bradford passed away three days before the December deadline, the Cook County Clerk’s Office established a special write-in election on the ballot to address the unusual circumstances.
Write-in candidates must get enough write-in votes on the primary ballot to equal the number of signatures that they would have been required to collect in the fall as part of the ballot petition process. For example, Democratic write-in candidates must get 8,236 votes on March 20th to make it onto the general election ballot. Green Party candidates must get 1,720 votes. (there are no Republicans challengers for this position in the primary). If no candidate can manage to get the required number of votes, Governor Bruce Rauner will have the power to fill the vacancy with his own appointment.
This is a tall order for voters. But State Matters is here to help. Read through our comprehensive list of the write-in candidates so that you’ll be informed and confident on voting day.
In addition to the write-in candidates below, some voters will also be selecting three candidates for Board commissioner position as is customary for this primary. See Chicago Tonight’s very informative guide for information about the candidates.
Frank Avila Jr., D
Mr. Avila is an attorney and former U.S. Army Captain. His father, Frank Avila Sr., currently sits on the Board. His top priorities are boosting District revenue by changing land leasing policies, building more billboards, and selling more bio-solids.
Karen Wingfield-Bond, D
Ms. Bond currently serves as Village Clerk for the Village of Lynwood, Illinois. Her three stated priorities are “flooding concerns, storm-water management, [and] Clean Water.”
Joe Cook, D
Mr. Cook currently serves as a senior defense attorney for MWRD and as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps. His stated priorities are “updating [the District’s] aging infrastructure, staying ahead of evolving environmental issues and being a responsible steward of taxpayers’ money.”
Geoffrey Cubbage, G
Mr. Cubbage currently serves as Secretary of the Illinois Green Party. He previously worked as a data analyst on water-supply projects for a private contracting firm. He promises reforms “including a solid vote for an independent Inspector General, as well as new hiring rules to restrict favoritism, patronage, and nepotism.”
M. Cameron “Cam” Davis, D
Mr. Davis is a Clean Water Act attorney who was previously CEO of The Alliance for the Great Lakes before serving as President Obama’s Great Lakes “point person” where he oversaw 11 federal agencies in the region including the White House Council on Environmental Energy, the EPA, and the Army Corps of Engineers. His top priorities are addressing stormwater flooding, increasing green infrastructure, and to promoting clean, high wage jobs.
Simon Gordon, D
Mr. Gordon currently serves as a Bishop for 44 churches and has previously worked as a billing manager for the University of Chicago. His stated priorities are to“maintain the integrity of freshwater delivery to our citizens,” properly treating stormwater, and pushing for the MWRD to increases economic development in the city’s South Side.
Sharon Waller, D
Ms. Waller is an Environmental Engineer who has conducted research and written publications about water and wastewater resilience guidelines for California. She holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Her stated priorities are transparency, making the procurement process electronic, and expanding phosphate removal and disinfection water treatment programs.
