Republican Jill B. Shestokas is running for one of three open seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board in the Nov. 3 general election. Shestokas, who said she previously served as the district's public affairs manager, described the agency as responsible for wastewater infrastructure, water quality and flood reduction across Cook County.

Five other candidates are also on the ballot: Democrats Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Eira L. Corral Sepúlveda and Precious W. Brady-Davis, and Republicans Michelle Pennington and Timothy E. Rueckert.

Voters choose up to three.

Shestokas said she is running to bring agency expertise to the board. In a response posted by the Northfield Township Republican Organization, she said the district "deserves commissioners who understand its mission, communicate openly with the public and are committed to making it stronger for the people it serves."

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in human ecology/journalism, University of Maryland, 1979
  • Current role: Founding partner, Constitutionally Speaking Media (2015–present)

Experience and public service

Shestokas said she served as public affairs manager at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. She said her work there earned multiple national awards for environmental education and public affairs.

She also served as director of communications and public affairs at SymSoil from 2019 to 2020 and as principal at JWL Consultancy from 2011 to 2014, according to her BallotReady profile.

On the issues

Taxpayer accountability and the MWRD mission

Shestokas said she spent her career helping residents, legislators and local governments understand the district's work. She said commissioners should make sure taxpayers understand how their investment protects families, homes and the future. She also said the agency should not be treated "as a stepping stone to another office."

Flooding and water quality

Shestokas said most Cook County residents do not think about the MWRD until heavy rains threaten homes, streets flood or beaches close after storms. She said commissioners should explain the agency's work and how public funding supports wastewater infrastructure, water quality and flood reduction, according to a Patch report on Republican MWRD candidates.

Candidate responses were drawn from published questionnaire answers and campaign statements attributed to Shestokas. The Park Ridge Wire did not interview the candidate for this profile.