About Tim
Timothy E. Rueckert is a Cook County resident, former highway commissioner, criminal investigator and civic advocate running for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner. He is committed to protecting our waterways, stopping neighborhood flooding, and holding the MWRD accountable to the taxpayers it serves.
Our point of view
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District manages water and wastewater for 5.2 million people across Cook County — yet it operates largely out of public view, with a $2.5 billion annual budget and a long history of patronage hiring and opaque contracting.
Tim has seen firsthand what happens when public agencies prioritize politics over performance: flooded basements, aging infrastructure, and taxpayer dollars that disappear without accountability. He's running to change that — bringing the same rigor and independence to the MWRD that Cook County residents deserve.
Tim's platform
Tim's campaign is built around three concrete priorities — each grounded in the real challenges facing the MWRD and the communities it serves.
01
Neighborhood flooding damages homes, strains family finances and diminishes property values. I will focus MWRD resources on practical, high-impact drainage projects and work closely with local governments to address known problem areas before the next major storm causes preventable damage.
02
Cook County needs stormwater infrastructure capable of meeting today's demands. I will support responsible upgrades to drainage systems, detention facilities and other critical infrastructure, while prioritizing projects that provide measurable protection for the greatest number of residents. One of the ways I intend to accomplish this is by creating a grant program to replace or reline existing public sanitary sewer lines. This will help bring our system into the next century while reducing the infiltration of stormwater into the sanitary system and helping prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed during significant rainfall events.
03
Every dollar MWRD spends belongs to the taxpayers. I will insist on disciplined budgeting, competitive contracting, open decision-making and clear measures of performance so residents can see where their money is going, and know it is producing real results. Once elected, I will make Board meetings more open and accessible to the public by having them livestreamed and video-recorded, allowing residents to watch the meetings at any time. This will provide a clear record of who was in attendance and what was said, when it was said. Transparency is imperative to maintaining an open, accountable, and effective government.
Join the campaign — volunteer, donate, or simply spread the word to your neighbors across the district.