Tom Courtney: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: ChicagoWebsite: http://chicagowaterleaders.com/Office sought: Metro. Water Reclamation District Age: 42Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Partner at Thomas F. Associates, P.C.Education: Graduate of Miami University of Ohio, received a Bachelor of Arts in 1994. Attended Michigan State University College of Law.Civic involvement: While in law school, worked as an intern for the Canadian House of Parliament in Ottawa's legal team. In the Summer of 1999, took part in the Notre Dame University Law School's International Law Summer Program.Elected offices held: Ran for Alderman of Chicago's 27th Ward in 2011.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?I am running on a slate with two other great candidates, Adam Miguest and John Xydakis. One of our main motivations is to repair the decaying water management infrastructure in the county. We see floodplains that are rising and water just sitting in the streets. The stagnant water creates environmental hazards and health risks for residents of Cook County. Even after the water subsides, our children are walking through those potentially dangerous areas often littered with debris.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I want to bring my experience as an attorney and advocate of the people to the office of Water Reclamation and believe protecting homes and businesses from floods and improving the quality of water are critically important.What special knowledge or experience do you have that particularly qualifies you for this office?I am a lifelong Chicagoan and hope to bring my extensive litigation experience to the negotiation table with contractors, in order to make procurement more efficient and better manage our water systems.What should the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District do to prevent disasters like the widespread flooding that affected the North and Northwest suburbs recently?The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District oversees one of the largest civil engineering projects ever undertaken, the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, or TARP. One of the project's goals is to prevent widespread flooding disasters by building a network of tunnels and reservoirs to increase emergency storage capacity. The last reservoir is expected to be finished by 2029 and as commissioner I will work tirelessly on staying ahead of schedule and completing this critical infrastructure project.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?Me and my wife Shirley are expecting our first child any day!