O'BRIEN'S Biography !

PRESIDENT /COMMISSIONER
METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION
DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO

Terrence J. O'Brien, age 50, was born and raised in Chicago. He currently resides on the northwest side of Chicago in Edgebrook, with his wife Julie, and three children, Kevin, Therese and Patrick.

He graduated in 1978 from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. He has spent the last 27 years working in the environmental field with various consulting firms, and most recently, K-Plus Environmental, located in Chicago.

Terry was first elected in November, 1988 to a six-year term as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. He is the third generation of his family to work for the MWRDGC. He has since been re-elected in 1994 and 2000. Presently, he serves as Chairman of the Judiciary and Real Estate Development Committees.

O'Brien's integrity, along with his proven ability to be an effective leader helped him to be elected President of the MWRDGC in 1997 for a two year term. As of 2005, he has been re-elected President five times.

Stemming from a long career in the environmental field, O'Brien has been able to bring extensive knowledge to enhance and streamline many of the tasks and responsibilities of the District, at the least possible cost to local taxpayers. Currently, the MWRDGC is one of the few governmental agencies in the State of Illinois to have an AAA bond rating. In addition, O'Brien is interested in maintaining the health of area residents by preventing pollution in Lake Michigan, local rivers, and streams. He has actively pursued continuous funding for the MWRDGC's Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP); this large undertaking captures sewer overflow before it can pollute the drinking water supply. Since TARP's implementation in 1985, over 800 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow have been captured that otherwise would have polluted the area waterways. The system's final tunnel is currently under construction and scheduled for completion early next year ( see attached article).

Many individual Chicago communities lack the technical knowledge and funding capabilities to handle flooding issues. To combat this problem, O'Brien has spent the past seven years initiating the successful introduction of a flood bill, which now gives the MWRDGC the responsibility of dealing with this problem throughout Cook County. After many setbacks, the bill was passed on November 19, 2004 thanks in part to O'Brien's determination ( see attached article ). O'Brien also instituted the (800) 332-DUMP pollution hotline number for citizens to report illegal dumping of materials into sewers and waterways, enabling the District to take immediate action against these violators.

O'Brien is also active in many professional, charitable and community organizations ( see attached article).

O'Brien's genuine interest in promoting fiscally sound, and taxpayer sensitive policies and programs, has led to his promotion of aggressive marketing of District real estate holdings that are not needed for corporate use, again proving his commitment to reducing taxes that the District levies.

O'Brien views the District as a progressive civil engineering agency that will continue to serve the public without interruption. He sees his own role within that organization as that of an advocate for policies that benefit every citizen, regardless of their demographic, at the lowest cost per household.

Education

• 1970 St. Hilary Grammar School, Chicago, Illinois.
• 1974 Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Illinois.
• 1978 B.A., Sociology, John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio.
• 1986 Certified Environmental Inspector – Environmental Assessment Association, Scottsdale, Arizona.
• 1988 40 Hour [OSHA] Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Safety Training – CFR 29 1910.146. (Annual Recertification).
• 1988 24 Hour, Confined Space and Rescue Training [OSHA] (Annual Recertification).
• 1988 CPR and First Aid Certifications (Annual Recertification).

Professional Organization

Industrial Water, Waste and Sewage Group * American Public Works Association * Association of Metropolitan Sewage Agencies * Water Environment Federation * Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies * Federation of Environmental Technologists * Ground Hog Club of Chicago (subsurface contractors), 2004 President * City Club of Chicago * Indo American Democratic Organization, Honorary Member * Past Member, Sewer and Tunnel Laborers, Local No. 2 * Past Member, SEIU, Local No. 46.

Community Activities

St. Mary of the Woods, Holy Name Society * Loyola Academy Fathers Club * Regina Dominican High School, Booster Club * St. Scholastica Academy, President's Council * Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, Board of Directors * John Carroll University, President's Council * 50 th Ward Democratic Club * Warren Park Advisory Council, Past Member * City Colleges Advisory Council for Student Environmental Exchange Program, Past Member * Howard W. Carroll Foundation, Past Director * Special Olympics Program for Misericordia Homes, Past Coordinator ( HWC Foundation) * Northwest Side American Cancer Society Board, Past Member.

Awards

International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 150, Statesman of the Year, 2000. * Illinois Committee for Honest Government Award, 1996 * Michael Bruton's Workplace Safety Award, 2001 * Excellence in Community Service Award from John Carroll University, 1999.

Paid for and authorized by the Friends of Terrence J. O'Brien.
A copy of our report is (or will be) available from the Cook County Clerk
69 W Washington Street, Chicago, Il 60606. And the Illinois State Board of Elections,
Contributions are not tax-deductible.