Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, a Democrat and sitting commissioner on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board, is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3 general election. Three seats on the board are open. Voters choose up to three candidates.
The district treats wastewater and manages stormwater for most of Cook County. The other candidates in the race are Beth McElroy Kirkwood (Democratic), Precious W. Brady-Davis (Democratic), Jill B. Shestokas (Republican), Michelle Pennington (Republican) and Timothy E. Rueckert (Republican).
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board of Commissioners
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Latino and Latin American studies and political science, DePaul University (2007); high school diploma, Driscoll College Prep High School
According to her district biography, Corral Sepúlveda is the first Latina elected to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board. She is also the first and youngest commissioner in recent history to come from the northwest suburbs of Cook County.
She has described herself as a mother and the daughter of immigrants driven to ensure government is accessible and inclusive.
Experience and public service
Corral Sepúlveda has served as a district commissioner since 2020, according to BallotReady profile data. Before joining the board, she served as clerk of Hanover Park from 2009 to 2021. According to her district biography, she was first elected to that post at age 23 as a single mother.
She previously worked as media relations and field coordinator at the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, according to BallotReady. Her civic roles have included membership on the Northwest Municipal Conference, the Illinois Census Commission, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Human Relations Committee and the Metropolitan Mayors Conference Diversity Taskforce, according to her district biography.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Corral Sepúlveda's responses to the WTTW Voters' Guide and her campaign website.
Water reuse and infrastructure: Corral Sepúlveda said she has advocated for the district to take a leadership role in water reuse policy. She said she worked with staff in 2023 and 2024 to help establish an Illinois chapter of the Water Reuse Association.
She also supported the district's 2025 Water Reuse Resolution, which she said formalized the agency's commitment to pursue water reuse strategies. She has called for infrastructure investments to protect waterways and neighborhoods from flooding.
Contaminant reduction: Corral Sepúlveda said she has worked with state and federal legislators to support a "polluters pay" model. That model would hold manufacturers accountable for PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and other emerging contaminants in consumer products.
She has also called for reducing plastics and pharmaceuticals in waterways. She said she would promote public engagement to expand the district's pharmaceutical takeback program.
Green infrastructure and equity: Corral Sepúlveda said she supports greater district investment in green infrastructure projects. She wants to ensure those projects prioritize equity across the region.
She has called for community-led planning in land use decisions and for green job training programs, according to her campaign website.
Endorsements
The following endorsements were claimed by the endorsing organizations, according to BallotReady profile data:
- IUOE Local 150
- Illinois Sierra Club
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134
- Chicago Federation of Labour
- Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600
- Citizen Action Illinois
- Cook County Democrats
- Northside Democracy for America
Candidate positions in this profile are based on questionnaire responses and campaign materials attributed above. Evanston Wire does not endorse candidates.
