Three Democratic incumbents hold large leads over three Republican challengers for seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board of Commissioners, according to unofficial suburban Cook County results posted by the Cook County Clerk's office.

The results cover suburban Cook County only. Chicago's MWRD vote totals were not available in the data published by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners as of Wednesday, Nov. 4. The two jurisdictions report separately, and their totals cannot be combined into districtwide figures until both are published.

All 1,366 suburban Cook County precincts had reported as of the clerk's posting. Mail-in ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 may arrive through Nov. 17 under Illinois law, and provisional ballots will also continue to be processed, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. The label "100% precincts reporting" means every precinct transmitted its totals. It does not mean every ballot has been counted.

Six-year term race (suburban Cook County only)

Three full six-year seats were on the ballot. Voters could select up to three candidates, and the top three vote-getters win, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Unofficial suburban Cook County results, with 1,366 of 1,366 precincts reporting:

  • Precious Brady-Davis (D, incumbent): 428,062 votes
  • Beth McElroy Kirkwood (D, incumbent): 424,816 votes
  • Eira Lizeth Corral Sepúlveda (D, incumbent): 417,250 votes
  • Michelle Pennington (R): 177,319 votes
  • Timothy E. Rueckert (R): 160,983 votes
  • Jill B. Shestokas (R): 156,734 votes

Each Democratic incumbent received more than twice as many suburban votes as the leading Republican candidate. WTTW reported on election night that the incumbents held "insurmountable leads" with 71% of the total districtwide vote counted. The Daily Northwestern reported that Democratic nominees were "projected to sweep" the four open seats, citing unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk's office.

No formal race call from the Associated Press appeared in available sources. These remain unofficial, partial returns.

Unexpired two-year term (suburban Cook County only)

Commissioner Cameron "Cam" Davis ran unopposed for an unexpired two-year term. He received 538,738 votes in suburban Cook County, according to the clerk's results page. Davis has served on the board since 2018 and previously served as a senior adviser on Great Lakes restoration under President Obama, according to the Evanston Roundtable's ballot guide.

What the MWRD does and why it matters

The MWRD treats wastewater and manages stormwater across Cook County, serving Chicago and 128 surrounding communities, according to the Sun-Times. The agency operates seven treatment plants and is funded primarily through property taxes. Its 2026 budget included $755.7 million in property tax revenue, with 2027 projections at $782.4 million.

A nine-member board governs the district. Commissioners are elected countywide to staggered six-year terms.

Flooding and aging infrastructure are central issues for the board. The MWRD operates the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, known as the Deep Tunnel, which stores excess stormwater during heavy rain. In July, after days of heavy rain, the McCook Reservoir reached between 96% and 100% capacity and the Thornton Reservoir hit 94%, the Sun-Times reported. Sewage overflows entered the Chicago River.

What happens next

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners stated that mail-in ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 and provisional ballots will continue to be processed through Nov. 17. The proclamation of official results will take place by Nov. 24, according to the board's website.

Residents can track suburban Cook County results at electionnight.cookcountyclerkil.gov and Chicago results at chicagoelections.gov.