Steele to Bring Scientific Expertise to

Water District Board

Who’s watching our water supply? 

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago plays a critical role in maintaining a clean and safe water supply by building and maintaining the vast network of canals and waste processing plants required to manage our wastewater and storm water.

Given the importance of clean water in our lives, including the economic viability of the region, the role of the MWRD and the nine Commissioners that oversee its operations should not be taken lightly. The MWRD is an enormous agency with over 2,100 employees and an annual budget of more than $1.6 billion dollars. While this budget is funded by tax dollars, most citizens of this county are unaware of the agency’s functions. 

Kari K. Steele is running for Commissioner of the MWRD to bring it closer to the citizens it serves. As Commissioner, Kari will increase community awareness of MWRD’s functions and issues, promoting participation of all municipalities in water conservation efforts.  Kari will develop methods to reduce the amount of energy used at treatment plants, requiring the district to adopt more energy-efficient, green technologies to reduce greenhouse gases and the amount of energy consumed, thereby lowering operating costs. Kari will promote transparent and accountable governance by developing a standard communication plan to inform the public about the agency’s operations and annual operating budget. 

Since 2004, Kari has worked as a Formulating Chemist for a major cosmetic company. She previously worked for six years as a Water Chemist for the Chicago Water Department and was a Chemist for the MWRD. The daughter of Illinois Appellate Court Justice John O. Steele, Kari is a 1997 graduate of Xavier University of New Orleans with a Chemistry/Pre-Med Bachelor of Science degree.

Kari is Chairman of the Young Democrats of Cook County, a member of the Young Democrats of America and Chairman of the 6th Ward Young Democrats. Kari is also a member of the Illinois Women’s Institute of Leadership (IWIL), the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and the Sierra Club.

Kari is endorsed by Alds. Pat Dowell, Leslie Hairston, Freddrenna Lyle, Sandi Jackson, Michelle Harris, Anthony Beale, Howard Brookins, Helen Shiller and Joe Moore and Mayors Elizabeth Tisdahl of Evanston and Ronnie Lewis of Dolton. She also has the support of State Sens. Rickey Hendon, Mattie Hunter and Donne Trotter, State Reps. Marlow Colvin and Connie Howard, Bremen Township School Trustees President Joseph Bertrand, Jr., Riverdale Village Library Trustee Maurice Roberts, Jr., State Committeeman Carol Ronen, Committeemen David Fagus, Tom Sharpe and Tim Bradford.
 
The Teamsters Joint Council #25, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and the Sierra Club have also endorsed Kari. For more information on Kari, please go to www.electkaristeele.com. You can also find “Friends of Kari Steele” on Face Book, Twitter and LinkedIn. On February 2, 2010, Punch #92 to elect Kari K. Steele.

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