Environmental Justice
In accordance with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act and to advance our Strategic Plan, the MWRD established the Environmental Justice Section in the 2022 Budget. This policy was issued on January 19, 2023.
The MWRD is committed to incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) principles in all decision making, planning, policy making, programs and activities, and in the execution of administrative processes. A commitment to DEIJ principles means valuing and celebrating our differences and seeking ways to create a welcoming environment that respects and embraces the experiences and contributions of every community and individual. DEIJ requires continuous introspection, commitment, and the development and implementation of policies that lead to effective actions yielding measurable results.
Environmental Justice at the MWRD
The MWRD is passionate about creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment, understanding that our differences strengthen our community. We understand that to serve effectively, we must strive for equity by providing access to opportunity for our employees, constituents, and community partners. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, language, gender identity and expression, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religion, and physical and mental abilities.
The MWRD’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice supports our core values of Excellence, Respect, Innovation, Safety, Equity, Diversity, and Accountability.
Representatives from municipalities within the MWRD are encouraged to contact our Environmental Justice section to determine if we can assist with future projects. envjustice@mwrd.org
EJ Presents at M&R Monthly Seminar
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Defined
The MWRD’s commitment to these principles means valuing and celebrating our differences and seeking ways to create a welcoming environment that respects and embraces the experiences and contributions of every community and individual. DEIJ requires continuous introspection, commitment, and the development and implementation of policies that lead to effective actions yielding measurable results.
- Diversity: The representation of different and unique identities, backgrounds, characteristics, experiences, and perspectives.
- Equity: Providing everyone with the tools they need to succeed by ensuring access, resources, and opportunities for all; especially for those who are underrepresented and have been historically underserved and disadvantaged.
- Inclusion: Inclusion is the practice of ensuring that people feel a sense of belonging and support from the organization and are provided an opportunity to contribute their talents to fulfilment of the MWRD’s mission. This is achieved by creating an ethical, tolerant, and respectful environment and culture in which differences are acknowledged and celebrated.
- Justice: The ethical, philosophical idea that people are to be treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably to ensure that no harm befalls another, and that where harm is alleged, action is taken to remedy the injustice.
EJ In Action
Community Partnership Councils
In support of our Strategic Plan, Community Partnership Councils were developed to encourage public involvement. The first council was established around the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant; our oldest treatment facility and located in historically under-resourced communities. In October 2024, the Calumet CPC concluded and the Stickney CPC began. We are excited to see where this new partnership takes us!
Watershed Planning Council Meetings
MWRD EJ staff attends quarterly watershed planning council meetings for Little Calumet River, Calumet Sag Channel, North Branch of Chicago River, Lower Des Plaines, and Poplar Creek & Upper Salt Creek.
Green Infrastructure
MWRD EJ is assisting community members and municipalities identify projects that may be eligible for participation in Green Infrastructure projects. The Water Environment Foundation Students and Young Professionals Community led a recent partnership with MWRD to construct a rain garden at O.A. Thorp Scholastic Academy.
Cub Scout Impact Day
On May 10, 2025, in conjunction with the Calumet Open House, the Environmental Justice Section and Public Affairs hosted the Cub Scout Impact Day. Almost 200 Scouts, their pack leaders, and parents toured the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant and enjoyed educational activities about how we protect water and process wastewater. This event would not have been possible without the hard work of the 2024 Environmental Justice Intern, Quinn Ruiz. She made all the calls and collected contact information for packs from all over the District’s service area which allowed us to gauge interest for an impact day event. The huge turnout indicates there was lots of interest in learning more about MWRD and the critical work we do in wastewater and stormwater management. We also want to thank all of the MWRD employees for their efforts that day, including our in-house Scouting liaison, Jonathan Grabowy, Managing Engineer for Wastewater Capital Planning, for lending his time and expertise to help make this a successful event.
Aldridge Middle School Project Greenway Presentation
On May 28, 2025, Principal Civil Engineer Lolita Thompson from our Environmental Justice section attended Aldridge Middle School’s Eighth Grade presentation on their Project Greenway, a project that will create a new, fully ADA accessible forested path that will allow residents of Altgeld Gardens to access Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve. In attendance was Deloris Lucas, from Calumet Community Partnership Council, along with People For Community Recovery Executive Director Cheryl Johnson and her Health Equity Director Adella Bass-Lawson. MWRD’s Stormwater Team did a workshop with the students to assist them in their project development. The students also completed shoebox dioramas based on Hazel Johnson’s quote “I’d rather live in my own shoebox than someone else’s mansion.”
Chicago Women in the Trades
On Monday, April 14, 2025, student apprentices from Chicago Women in the Trades (CWIT) visited the Stickney WRP for a job shadow day. These women are about to graduate from CWIT’s program and choose the trade with which they will apprentice. Engineer of Treatment Plant Operations Lisa Kursell was joined by Master Mechanic Pam Taylor, Assistant Master Mechanic Liz DelAngel, and Structural Ironworker Leadman Sarah Mahoney on a tour of the plant and a visit to the trades on the shop floor. Thanks to Ed Coleman, Human Resources Manager in the Environmental Justice section, for his hard work coordinating this event. Ed can been seen here in the red hard hat.
Berwyn Lions Club
On April 21, 2025 EJ’s Lolita Thompson spoke to the Berwyn Lions Club at an event held at the Berwyn Public Library. She discussed why flooding happens, how it relates to our sewers across the region, and how homeowners can help prevent flooding. The Berwyn Roots, a community garden movement, also spoke at the event. Shown below is Julie Roth from The Berwyn Roots, Karin Nangreave from the Berwyn Lions Club, and Lolita Thompson.
Earth Day 2025
EJ was excited to partner again with Aldridge Elementary School during their Peace Week events. On Earth Day, April 22, 2025, Lolita Thompson spoke to students about the vital connection between environmental justice and healthy communities, emphasizing how actions like local cleanups contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for all. She then walked the talk by getting out in the school’s garden with the students for a clean-up.
Chicago Urban League
The EJ Team is excited to begin a partnership with the Chicago Urban League. Lolita Thompson completed the first presentation to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Gary Comer Middle School on December 6, 2024. She spoke about Environmental Justice and the roll of pollution prevention in maintaining clean waters for humans and aquatic life. We are looking forward to many more successful events!
History & Hope/Pullman Partnership
MWRD EJ participated in History & Hope, an 8-week environmental justice program for teenagers facilitated and led by Pullman National Historical Park. The program educated youth from Chicago's most challenged communities on best practices to adapt and build resilience to climate change.
Peace Week Celebrations at Aldridge
In conjunction with Earth Day 2024, our EJ Team was invited to participate in a ceremony promoting peace in the community. Both students and guests wished for positive things they wanted to see while pouring a cup of water on Aldridge's Peace Tree.
MSI's Jr. Science Café
Lolita Thompson lead one of these small, focused sessions that offer young people the opportunity to interact directly with STEM professionals with the aim to change the perception of a "traditional" STEM professional by engaging professionals of all ages, backgrounds, interests, and career paths, conveying that anyone can pursue a career in STEM.
Sheriff's Leadership Academy
EJ teamed up with Public Affairs to host Sheriff Tom Dart's Leadership Academy summer camp for a tour of Calumet WRP.
National Society of Black Engineers
Principal Civil Engineer Lolita Thompson was joined this year by Rebeca Fernandez, Public Affairs Specialist-Bilingual, presenting at the National Society of Black Engineers – Chicago Professionals’ Engineers Week Expo on February 22, 2025 at the University of Illinois Chicago This annual event exposes students to STEM in a fun, stimulating, and impactful way. Lolita and Rebeca demonstrated portions of our treatment process and students from Holy Family School in Chicago perform an experiment.
CPS Skilled Trades Fair
EJ’s Human Resources Manager Ed Coleman teamed up with M&O’s David Schusler, Assistant Master Mechanic, and Pam Taylor, Master Mechanic I, at the third annual Chicago Public Schools’ Skilled Trades Career Fair to give more than 3,000 CPS students an up-close look at opportunities within the skilled trades at MWRD.
City Colleges of Chicago Visit
The EJ section hosted a visit of representatives from the City Colleges of Chicago to the Stickney WRP. EJ is partnering with the City Colleges to with hopes of developing apprentice programs for TPOs and curriculum paths related to Wastewater Treatment Labs.
CMAP FLIP
On July 18, 2024 the MWRD hosted youth from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) summer program. Through FLIP, high school students from northeastern Illinois explore the field of urban planning and learn about career paths and opportunities to get involved in urban planning, urban design, sustainability, public policy, government, transportation, environmental planning, water supply, community development, and public engagement. As part of their visit, they heard presentations from our EJ Team.
10th Ward Interns Visit
On July 24, 2024 members of the EJ Team joined the tour of Calumet WRP by the summer interns of Chicago’s 10th Ward Alderman Peter Chico. CWRP is located within the 10th Ward, giving the interns an excellent opportunity to learn about an important resource in their own backyard.
Polished Pebbles
On July 27, 2024, Lolita Thompson joined Board of Commissioners’ President Kari Steele in hosting young women from Polished Pebbles for a tour of Stickney WRP. Polished Pebbles helps girls from the greater Chicagoland area become great communicators at home, school, and the future workplace and learn skills that allow them to develop confidence and the ability to speak up in class, join groups and leadership positions, communicate effectively and respectfully, and prepare for future careers.