ENDORSEMENTS
Waller4Water was endorsed by the following entities for the 2022 election. Check back here for current endorsements about 3 months before the 2024 election.
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COALITION BUILDING
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT (just for fun)
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FUN FACTS
Did you know .... many voters don't know what MWRD does.
Any elected position is two jobs: 1) the campaign and 2) the office.
The election of MWRD Commissioners:
Barriers to grass roots candidates and politics:
- MWRD treats all the water that leaves your house and business by drains plus stormwater that enters combined sewers.
- MWRD serves 129 communities covering nearly all of Cook County
- From the 2021-25 Strategic Plan:
- Each day, the MWRD cleans an average of 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater
- The MWRD owns and operates seven (7) water reclamation plants, 560 miles of intercepting sewers and force mains, 23 pumping stations, 34 stormwater detention reservoirs, and three Tunnel and Reservoir Plan reservoirs.
- MWRD controls 76.1 miles of navigable waterways, which are part of the inland waterway system connecting the Great Lakes with the Gulf of Mexico.
- MWRD is governed by a nine-member Board of Commissioners, each elected at large to a six-year term.
- MWRD has over 1,700 employees, annual budget of $1.1 billion, and a AAA credit rating.
Any elected position is two jobs: 1) the campaign and 2) the office.
- The campaign is largely fundraising.
- Specialized skill sets may be beneficial for offices related to finance, science, and technology.
- You have to get elected to get opportunity to do the job, so campaign skills are helpful.
- Candidates who have worked for a campaign have experience that may lead to an edge in the race.
The election of MWRD Commissioners:
- The petition signatures to get on the ballot for MWRD are almost twice the those required for the governor. Signatures required for the 2022 Democratic Primary Election are (see Candidates Guide & Important Dates and Signature Requirements Handout on Cook County Clerk website):
- State Representative 400 (Candidate Guide page 31, same as a Chicago alderperson)
- State Senator 650 (Candidate Guide page 29)
- Governor 3,250 (Candidate Guide page 27)
- MWRD 5,770 (Handout, also see Candidate Guide page 60)
- Most organizations don't endorse for MWRD until after ballot it set (after signature collection, petition challenges, and ballot position is determined)
- The MWRD race is usually decided in the primary election.
- The MWRD Commissioner winner is correlated to:
- Cook County Democratic Party endorsement due to the high number of signatures required to get on the ballot
- Ballot position (determined by a combination of order of petition turn and random selection via lottery)
- MWRD is a lesser know race towards the end of ballot. Some voters don't get that far - we reportedly have one of the longest ballots in the country
Barriers to grass roots candidates and politics:
- Political campaigning is barred on 501c3 and government-owned property such as libraries, schools, park district buildings, etc. This included emails (.org & .gov) and phones.
- 501c3 organizations include most environmental advocacy groups and religious institutions such as churches, synagogues, etc.
- IRS rules reportedly prohibit "soliciting" on 501c3 property, and collection of signatures is reportedly (and sadly) included in the definition of "soliciting".
- 501c3 entities are prohibited from endorsing candidates. This can also be interpreted to include political discussion. Although freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, choosing 501c3 status and employment therein is voluntary.
- Many privately owned stores have corporate policies prohibiting soliciting on their property which is generally interpreted to include petition signature collection. These rules are not evenly enforced, but they have been enforced more during the pandemic, at least in Chicago.
- The Incumbent edge: elected officials can speak at 501c3 and government-owned buildings in their official capacity.
- Political discussion is generally allowed on public sidewalks and in privately owned places (such as restaurants, pubs, private residences, etc.)
- In Chicago, a Public Place of Amusement license (cost up to $14K) is required to host a political fundraising event.
SIDEWALK PROGRESS = SIDEWALK POLITICS IS REQUIRED FOR CHANGE + SCIENCE IS PROGESSIVE
The following Cook County Democratic Ward and Township Organizations supported me prior to the Cook County Democratic Party (CCD) vote: Ward 2 Tim Egan, Ward 25 Byron Sigcho-Lopez (Ugo Okere), Ward 32 Scott Waguespack, Ward 40 Maggie O'Keffe, Ward 47 Paul Rosenfeld, Palatine Township Maria Galo, Proviso Township Karen Yarbrough, and Wheeling Township Mark Walker. Collectively, the CCD voted to endorse others that contributed $40K and signed the pledge.