Precious W. Brady-Davis, a Democratic incumbent on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board, is running for reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, Illinois General Election.

The district manages wastewater treatment and stormwater for Cook County. Three seats are on the ballot, and voters may choose up to three candidates, according to BallotReady election data. Five other candidates are in the race: Democrats Beth McElroy Kirkwood and Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, and Republicans Jill B. Shestokas, Michelle Pennington and Timothy E. Rueckert.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Residence: Hyde Park, Chicago, with husband Myles Brady-Davis and daughters Zayn and Zyon
  • Education: Bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies, Columbia College Chicago (2013); attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln; certificate in senior executives in state and local government, Harvard University (2025)
  • Background: Born in Omaha, Nebraska. Author of the memoir "I Have Always Been Me," published in 2021 by Topple Books. Inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2025 and named to Out Magazine's OUT100 list in October 2025.

According to the district's website, Brady-Davis is the first Black openly trans woman appointed and elected to public office in Cook County history and the first to serve on a water reclamation district in the United States.

Experience and public service

Brady-Davis was appointed to the board by Gov. JB Pritzker in July 2023 and elected as commissioner in 2024, according to the district's website. She has held roles in nonprofit and advocacy work. Her BallotReady profile lists the following positions:

  • Chief strategy officer, Center on Halsted (2024–present)
  • Northeast communications director, Sierra Club (2023–present)
  • Associate communications director, Sierra Club (2020)
  • Assistant director of diversity recruitment initiatives, Columbia College Chicago (2014–2017)
  • Artistic associate, About Face Theatre (2012–2014)
  • Youth outreach coordinator, Center on Halsted (2011–2014)
  • Teaching artist, About Face Theatre (2010–2012)

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Brady-Davis' campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire responses. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.

Greenhouse gas emissions: Brady-Davis said she will push for a 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions at the district by upgrading infrastructure across its seven plants to trap methane and convert it into usable energy.

Flood prevention: Brady-Davis said she supports directing flood-prevention resources to South and West Side neighborhoods hit hardest by urban flooding. She also said she would advocate to complete Stage II of the Deep Tunnel project, known as the McCook Reservoir, by 2029 to manage heavy rainfall and protect neighborhoods from flooding.

Lake Michigan: Brady-Davis said she wants to protect Lake Michigan as the primary source of the region's drinking water and advance green infrastructure to improve community resilience and prevent flooding across Cook County.

Land leases and pollution: Brady-Davis said she supports stopping district land leases to polluters who endanger waterways, wildlife and public health.

Endorsements

The following endorsements were claimed by the endorsing organizations, according to BallotReady:

  • Cook County Democrats
  • Illinois Sierra Club
  • Jane Fonda Climate PAC
  • Chicago Federation of Labour
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134
  • IUOE Local 150
  • Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600
  • Equality IL
  • Advocates for Trans Equality
  • Personal PAC
  • Citizen Action Illinois
  • Northside Democracy for America

Candidate responses were collected through campaign materials and BallotReady questionnaires. The Evanston Wire did not interview the candidate for this profile.