Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago President Kari K. Steele Awards 8th Grade Contest Winners for Innovative Thoughts on Imagine a Day Without Water 12 Students Awarded from Four Chicago Area Elementary, Charter and STEAM Schools

(CHICAGO) – The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) president Kari K. Steele acknowledged 12 student winners who participated in her Imagine a Day Without Water 2022 video & essay contest. The contest criteria required each student to create a 1-minute video, or 100-150 words e ssay that answers the question: “Imagine a Day Without Water” in your community and tell President Steele what they would do TODAY to conserve water and protect our natural resource (Lake Michigan), if they were in charge.

As the only chemist serving on the Board of Commissioners, one of the many goals of the MWRD President is to expand outreach to all communities and youth to engage them in conversations and activities regarding the environment.

prize winner became an honorary Steele Water Warrior for demonstrating how they would reduce unnecessary water usage and maintain a clean and safe water environment,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. The contest was inspired by “Imagine a Day Without Water,” a National Day of Action bringing together communities and policymakers to advance greater and more equitable water investments.

CLOSE WITH $1.7 MILLION

After an election year where House members saw the most contested races in history, Democrats for the Illinois House and re-elected House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch have closed strong with 14 newly elected members and $1.7 million total.

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor,GreaterGrand Crossing, Burnside,Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END

Washington Heights,Roseland,Rosemoor, Englewood,West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman,Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

South Suburban

Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island,SouthHolland,and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

HYDE PARK

Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores,Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland,South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

Suburban Times Weekly

BloomTownship, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor,FordHeights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest,Sauk Village,South Chicago and Steger

Piquing or expanding interest in science and the importance of preserving our natural resources and protecting the quality of our water supply resource (Lake Michigan) is essential to maintaining the planet for future generations. Congratulations to the following students: 8th grade students Cassius Conley, Janiya Phillips, and Dania Rhodes of Providence-Englewood Elementary Charter School; Congratulations to Mikaila McCorkle, Kyleigh Jameson, and Schuyler Sayles of Ashburn Community Elementary Charter School. Congratulations to Christian Brown and Caprice Murry of John D. Shoop Math, Science, and Technology Academy and VaShawma Ross, Brandon Poole, De Kera Holt, and Kimora Willis of Paul Cuffe STEM Academy.

“As President of the MWRD it is an honor to expand each student’s knowledge on the importance of our most valued resource…water. Each

In addition, recent water emergencies in Jackson, Mississippi and Dixmoor, IL provides youth a recent example of how close to home a water crisis could occur at any time. The water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi was essentially the result of flooding that overwhelmed Jackson’s largest water treatment plan and Dixmoor’s water system suffered multiple breaks that prompted residents to also be without clean water.

Each contest winner received a Steele Swag Bag with informational literature about the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, an offer to tour one of seven MWRD Water Reclamation Plants, passes to visit other water related attractions such as Navy Pier and Museum of Science and Industry. The Steele Swag Bag also includes an opportunity to enrich the student’s cultural experience with passes to the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center along with other cool gifts for them to enjoy throughout the year.

The Steele “Imagine a Day Without Water,” contest was a success. The participating students were creative, curious, and excited to explore ways to conserve water and protect the environment. Thank you to the school principals, teachers, and parents for their support. The student’s success in participating would not have been possible without their leadership and guidance.

During the quarter, the Speaker’s caucus reported raising over $14 million. The House Democratic Caucus raised over $12 million. Speaker Welch’s total for the year was over $45 million. The result– the House’s historic supermajority and a unanimous demand for a second term of leadership for Speaker Welch.

“We raised funds, we worked together, and we really dug into the fight for the people of Illinois,” said Speaker Welch. “I am extremely thankful to each of our supporters and every single member of our caucus. We are bringing the most Democrats to the legislature in modern history to fight for working families in all 118 districts from Chicago to Cairo, from Winnetka to Washington Park, and from Westchester to Savanna. I am thankful to our caucus for trusting me to continue to lead us forward. Now we have to get to Springfield and continue doing the work of the people.”

With 14 newly elected members of the Illinois House, Democrats are the most diverse in their representation of the people. In addition to re-electing the first African-American Speaker of the House, the general assembly welcomed the first Vietnamese American, two of the first Muslim Americans, and the first Korean American to serve and represent downstate. The diversity of heritage, race, gender, age, and ideology further solidifies the House Dems as the caucus that looks like Illinois.

HUNTER SUPPORTS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE, ACCESS TO ABORTION

Following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, State Senator Mattie Hunter proudly voted to protect abortion rights in Illinois through a measure that passed out of the Senate Wednesday.

“Abortion is a health care issue, and a medical service that could potentially save someone’s life, especially in regards to combatting maternal mortality,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “There are so many reasons abortions are needed, none of which is the government’s business. What is the government’s business, is protecting the right to have one.”

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that under a nationwide total abortion ban, there could be a 24% increase in expected maternal deaths nationwide, with Black women projected to see a 39% increase.

If signed, House Bill 4664 will enshrine legal access to abortion care in the state of Illinois and provide protections for health care professionals from restrictive laws from other states. Illinois could become a safe haven for those who need abortion within the state, and in surrounding states in the Midwest.

Hunter has championed various health care issues over her two decades in the senate, including measures to reduce maternal mortality.

“Everyone deserves the right to choose what they do with their own body,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “I voted to ensure that here in Illinois, that right will remain for anyone who needs access to an abortion.”

House Bill 4664 awaits the governor’s signature.