Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Candidate Free Time is being underwritten in part by the League of Women Voters of Cook County.Candidate Free Time is being underwritten in part by the League of Women Voters of Cook County.

WTTW’s 2016 Voters’ Guide to the Primary is an online resource designed to inform voters about the candidates running for Cook County office in the March 15 election. Learn more.

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About this office

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is governed by a nine-member board elected at-large with three commissioners elected every two years. During the March 15 primary, some candidates will run for six-year terms, while others will run for terms that last two years.

MWRD treats water collected by sanitary and stormwater sewers in most of Cook County. It also serves as the Stormwater Management Utility for Cook County. Its mission is to protect the health and safety of citizens and area waterways.

The candidates below appear in ballot order.

Democratic Candidates, 6-year term

Kevin McDevitt

"I envision the MWRD taking the lead role in areas such as renewable energy, disinfection of our local waterways, and being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Cook County." Learn more about this candidate.


Barbara McGowan

"The major issue for me as an incumbent Commissioner of MWRD is to fund and complete the entire TARP program which includes the completion of the McCook Reservoirs to alleviate flooding for the citizens of Cook County." Learn more about this candidate.


Mariyana T. Spyropoulos

"Nothing could be more important than protecting our natural resources for future generations." Learn more about this candidate.


Josina Morita

"As we see from what is happening in Flint, Michigan, protecting our water is essential for all of us." Learn more about this candidate.


R. Cary Capparelli

"For the District to move forward, there is a need for a new breed of commissioner with an enlightened vision to make the agency more efficient." Learn more about this candidate.


Joseph Daniel Cook

"The most pressing issue facing the MWRD is to continue to protect the quality of our water and to continue to handle issues related to stormwater management." Learn more about this candidate.


Green Candidates, 6-year term

George Milkowski

"Given the importance of the MWRD mission in protecting our waterways and in flood control, this government entity needs to use its resources in a more effective manner to get the most “bang” for our tax dollar investment." Learn more about this candidate.


Karen Roothaan: Did not participate in Candidate Free Time


Michael Smith: Did not participate in Candidate Free Time


Democratic Candidates, 2-year term

Andrew Seo

"My vision for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is to provide the Chicagoland area with a strong infrastructure system that will last the next 100 years." Learn more about this candidate.


Tom Greenhaw

"Transforming the MWRD into a resource recovery agency will both improve our environment and improve the District’s financial footing, providing the citizens of Cook County with its essential services in a more cost-effective way." Learn more about this candidate.


Martin J. Durkan

"I will work to make sure that Cook County has the best infrastructure possible within the fiscal realties of the district." Learn more about this candidate.


Republican Candidates, 6-year term

No candidate


Republican Candidates, 2-year term

Herb Schumann: Did not participate in Candidate Free Time

About Candidate Free Time

WTTW’s 2016 Voters’ Guide to the Primary is an online resource designed to inform voters about the candidates running for Cook County office in the March 15 election.

2016 Voters’ Guide to the Primary2016 Voters’ Guide to the Primary Every candidate running for a Cook County office was given two minutes to tell voters where they stand on the issues, why they feel they are best qualified and what they intend to do if elected or re-elected. The messages were recorded at the WTTW studios at no cost to the candidates.

The Voters’ Guide is an online version of Candidate Free Time, pioneered by WTTW in the 1992 race for U.S. Senate. This year, we are proud to partner with the League of Women Voters of Cook County to give voters this guide to candidates for Cook County office.


Thanks to our sponsors:

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Thanks to our sponsors:

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