Kari Steele: 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: www.electkaristeele.comTwitter: @CommKSteeleFacebook: Commissioner Kari K. SteeleOffice sought: Metro. Water Reclamation District Age: 42Family: Married and the co-parent of two beautiful childrenOccupation: MWRD CommissionerEducation: Bachelor of Sciences - Chemistry Pre-Med (Minor-Biology) (August 1997) Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LouisianaCivic involvement: West Side Black Elected Officials Member The 27th Ward Regular Democratic Organization Member Southside Democracy for America Member MLI 2016 Edgar Fellows Program2014 South Shore International College Prep High School Advisory Committee2014 8th Ward Regular Democratic Organization Women's Auxiliary Council Member Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Member Chatham Avalon Park Community Council Member Sierra Club Member Society of Cosmetic Chemists 2004 - 2013 Illinois Women's Institute of Leadership (IWIL) 2007 - Present Chairman of the 6th Ward Young Democrats 2004 - 2011 Chairman/Treasurer of the Young Democrats of Cook County June 2008 Ãcirc;#144; June 2010Elected offices held: MWRD CommissionerQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what? What specific professional qualifications do you possess that would make you excel in this office?As a chemist and environmentalist with experience working in the field laboratory as a water chemist at the City of Chicago Water Department and the MWRD, I offer unique attributes that are essential assets to the talented members of the Board at the MWRD. My previous laboratory experience makes me uniquely qualified to contribute a broader knowledge that is directly related and relevant to the vast services provided by MWRD. As the ecological demands upon the agency increase, retention of my scientific background would be of great value to effectively advise, inform and guide policy decisions of the Board. I'm motivated by the decrease in urban flooding due to the increase of various stormwater management solutions and public awareness about Green Infrastructure. In addition, I'm seeking to be re-elected because I contribute to the professional diversity at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago. As an advocate of S.T.E.M. and Space to Grow programs, I seek to continue my agenda to bring awareness and opportunities for promoting these programs. My unique qualifications provide me the ability to share with communities in a manner that all ages, ethnicities and economic levels can relate to and understand how to get involved, even at home. I continually engage organizations, faith communities and more about the works of MWRD, water conservation tips, storm water management solutions and/or ways to support green infrastructure to help be part of a sustainable planet. It's important that I'm re-elected to continue this progress.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?As a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Commissioner I continually engage and educate communities, organizations and constituents about how they can help MWRD protect our waterways and environment. One of my many goals is to continue to educate everyone about the importance of water and preserving our primary water source (Lake Michigan). I have played a major role in promoting the MWRD Rain Barrel Program by initiating the current relationship with Faith In Place, The Bungalow Association, and several community groups and municipalities resulting in the distribution of several thousand rain barrels directly from my MWRD office. In addition, I expanded on the MWRD Rain Barrel Program by independently hosting rain barrel painting contests with students in the Chicagoland area. During my tenure I initiated a greater relationship with youth for more of them to be exposed to S.T.E.M. career opportunities and to learn about preserving our water environment. I commenced MWRD participating in two programs at the Museum of Science and Industry Science Works The Junior Science CafÃ#130;Åfrac12;. I also led the push to educate the public about MWRD in the digital world thru social media platforms. I've contributed creative ways to enhance MWRD's community outreach to increase educational efforts that inform residents about water conservation, the role of the MWRD, and what MWRD provides for the residents of Cook County to assist in improving the quality of their lives.Due to the old infrastructure of a combined sewage system, raw sewage may be released into rivers and the lake during a heavy rain. While efforts such as rain barrels are important, does the district have any long-term plans to address the underlying infrastructure issue?The long-term solution is the district completing The Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) the second stage of the McCook Reservoir. TARP is one of the largest engineering projects in the world. The second stage of McCook is scheduled to be complete in 2029. Once completed, the four TARP tunnel systems and the three reservoirs (Majewski, Thornton, and McCook) will have a total combined capacity of 20.55 billion gallons of combined sewage overflow (CSO).For years, not one suburban Republican has been elected to the board. Should the board be elected by regional districts?I believe Commissioners should be elected at-large because the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago treats wastewater and addresses storm water management throughout Cook County. The water flowing throughout our service area has no boundaries and we currently have over 100 on-going storm water management projects throughout our service area. We must elect MWRD Commissioners that will represent all of Cook County while analyzing and prioritizing projects based on the necessity to protect Lake Michigan and protect businesses and homes from flood damage while managing water as a vital resource for our service area (Cook County).How do you rate the MWRD on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are importantI give MWRD a high rating regarding transparency and the ability for the public to access records. We have a website available for all citizens to research topics of interest. We also have a public relations office available to respond to any questions or concerns you might have. I have an open door policy in my office and respond to all inquiries within a timely manner. I'm committed to transparent, inclusive and equitable service and I will continue to be a voice for all communities and an advocate for environmental equality. If I find there are improvements that are needed, I'll investigate implement the necessary changes. It is important for all taxpayers to be confident that their money is supporting quality services along with open and honest government.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?An additional issue that is important to me is increasing business growth and economic development in the county from my position as a Commissioner on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation Board (MWRD) I believe that by increasing the promotion and sales of our MWRD Class A biosolid compost and MWRD environmentally-friendly phosphate fertilizer, we can literally turn waste into revenue. By doing such, we can decrease the cost of the treatment process, provide jobs and provide additional contract opportunities for small businesses.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.A current leader that inspires me is Oprah Winfrey her accomplishments motivate me to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The importance of being involved in my community. Service is the rent we pay for the privilege to live on earth.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?If life gave me a do-over I would spend it on continuing to study and play the piano throughout college.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Science asking questions and enjoying the search for answers helped me obtain my chemistry degree and have a successful career as a Chemist.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The sky is not your limit to achieve your goals and dreams. Ãâ#128;™The sky can't be the limit when there are footprints on the moon.Ãâ#128;œ