On the Issues !

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Tunnel and Reservoir Plan

Throughout his presidency, Terrence J. O'Brien has diligently worked with the staff of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to pursue funding for the District's Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), the Chicago area's Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) elimination system. TARP, consisting of an intricate system of drop shafts, conveyance tunnels and pumping stations has twice been judged by the Environmental Protection Agency to be the most cost-effective plan available to meet the enforceable provisions of the Clean Water Act. The system's final tunnel is currently under construction and scheduled for completion early next year. The TARP reservoirs, also currently under construction, will provide flood control relief to hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses in the Chicagoland area. Since the implementation of TARP, over 800 billion gallons of CSO's have been captured that otherwise would have polluted the area waterways.

President O'Brien's commitment to TARP has been evident throughout his career. His efforts include annual trips to Washington, D.C. to address the United States Senate subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Committee on Appropriations, helping to secure funding for these projects which are crucial to the environment. Since 1988, Congress has appropriated over $145,000,000 dollars to the District to advance the construction of the McCook and Thornton Reservoirs. President O'Brien's supportive efforts have helped make it possible for the District to carry out these projects, enhancing the quality of life for millions of people in the Chicago area.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Pursuit of Stormwater Management Responsibilities

Flooding causes an estimated $211 million in damages annually to the over 200 communities in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. However, until recently, no organization in Cook County had the technical and financial resources available to provide effective regional stormwater management. Many local officials realized that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, with its regional responsibilities for pollution control and its history as the local sponsor for flood control projects, could be the ideal resource for taking on the responsibility for Cook County stormwater management.

In October of 1997, the District's Board of Commissioners led by President Terrence J. O'Brien held a study session to discuss whether to pursue legislation designating the District as responsible for Cook County Stormwater Management. The District's 1998 legislative program was to include the initiative, if the communities of Cook County would support it. Over the next several months, President O'Brien met with all the regional municipal conferences, the Mayor of the City of Chicago and the President of the Cook County Board garnering their support and developing the language for the legislation.

The legislation proposed that tax revenues raised by the District would fund stormwater management activities. In order to raise those funds a tax cap exemption was required, which proved to be the major legislative hurdle. Prior to the District's introduction of the Stormwater Management bill no legislation had passed which provide a tax cap exemption for new services. The District was unsuccessful in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 in its attempts to pass this legislation. After September 11, 2001 the District postponed their pursuit of this legislation and focused on the security of its facilities. In 2004, the District re-introduced its stormwater legislation.

During the 2004 spring session President O'Brien personally led the legislative charge with the Board of Commissioners, and the District prevailed passing SB2196 making the District the regional stormwater authority in Cook County. His efforts earned him the commendation from state legislators, including Senator Dave Sullivan who stated, “Terry O'Brien…has stopped millions of gallons of water from coming into our homes and streets…We would like him to continue that work.” Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed the legislation on August 9, 2004. Undaunted, President O'Brien and the District's Board of Commissioners traveled to Springfield during the fall veto session of 2004 and convinced the Illinois General Assembly to override the Governor's veto. Again, the District prevailed and on November 19, 2004 SB2196 became Public Act 93-1049.

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.