Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda, a Democratic incumbent on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago board, is running for reelection in the Nov. 3 general election.
The district board oversees wastewater treatment and stormwater management across Cook County, including Park Ridge and Niles. Three seats are on the ballot. Voters may choose up to three candidates. Corral Sepúlveda is one of six candidates in the race, alongside Democrats Beth McElroy Kirkwood and Precious W. Brady-Davis, and Republicans Jill B. Shestokas, Michelle Pennington and Timothy E. Rueckert.
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 the district's website, Corral Sepúlveda is the first Latina elected to the board. She is the youngest commissioner in recent history and the first in recent history from the northwest suburbs of Cook County.
Experience and public service
Corral Sepúlveda has served as a district commissioner since 2020, according to BallotReady. She previously served as village clerk of Hanover Park from 2009 to 2021. According to the district's website, she was first elected clerk at age 23 as a single mother.
Before holding office, she worked as a 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 the district's website.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Corral Sepúlveda's responses to WTTW's primary Voters' Guide and her campaign website.
Flooding and green infrastructure: Corral Sepúlveda said she supports greater district investment in green infrastructure to protect neighborhoods from flooding as climate change increases flood risk. She said projects should prioritize equity across the region and include green job training.
Water reuse: Corral Sepúlveda said she worked with district staff in 2023 and 2024 to establish an Illinois chapter of the Water Reuse Association. She said she supported the district's 2025 Water Reuse Resolution, which she described as formalizing the agency's commitment to pursue water reuse strategies.
Contaminants and PFAS: Corral Sepúlveda said she has worked with legislators to support a "polluters pay" model that would hold manufacturers accountable for PFAS and other contaminants in consumer products. She also said she wants to reduce plastics and pharmaceuticals in waterways.
Pharmaceutical takeback: Corral Sepúlveda said she supports expanding the district's pharmaceutical takeback program through public engagement.
Community engagement: Corral Sepúlveda said she wants to incorporate community-led planning in land use decisions and ensure diverse communities are included in infrastructure investments and economic opportunities at the district.
Endorsements
The following endorsements were claimed by the endorsing organizations, according to BallotReady:
- 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 responses to WTTW's primary Voters' Guide questionnaire and statements on the candidate's campaign website. The Park Ridge Wire presents this information to help voters evaluate candidates and does not endorse in any race.
