Stop neighborhood flooding
Prioritize communities facing repeated damage and public-health risks—and measure whether protection actually reaches them.
Jill Shestokas for MWRD Commissioner
When the water rises, experience matters.
Managing Water. Respecting Dollars.
Flood prevention and water reclamation are not partisan. Jill brings water-policy experience, plain-English accountability and practical leadership to the MWRD table.
VOTE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 Cook County • Vote for 3 • Go all the way to 53
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board · October 15, 2026
Chicago Tribune endorses Jill Shestokas.
“… the opportunity to elect a Republican watchdog with insider knowledge to this important post is too good to pass up.”
— Chicago Tribune Editorial Board
Community endorsement
Polish-American Police Association endorses Jill Shestokas and Michelle Pennington.
Thank you for your endorsement and your longstanding, ongoing work in our community for all residents.
Community endorsement
Thornton Township Republicans support our MWRD team.
Thank you for supporting Michelle Pennington, Tim Rueckert and Jill Shestokas for MWRD Commissioner.
NOVEMBER 3 • YOU MAY CHOOSE 3VOTE ALL 3
51Michelle
Pennington
Pennington
52Timothy E.
Rueckert
Rueckert
53Jill B.
Shestokas
Shestokas
You get three choices in the MWRD race.Use all three: Michelle Pennington #51, Timothy Rueckert #52 and Jill Shestokas #53.
Flooding doesn’t care how you vote.
Cook County families deserve leadership that solves problems—not status quo.
My priorities
Stop the flooding. Stop waste.
Implement quicker relief
Set clear goals, deadlines and responsibility so residents can see where projects stand, where they stall and when relief will arrive.
Modernize stormwater infrastructure
Use modern tools alongside proven infrastructure to meet today’s storms—not yesterday’s standards.
Protect taxpayer dollars
Connect borrowing and spending to projects that are ready, necessary and capable of delivering clear public value.
Meet Jill
Experience that delivers.
Jill Shestokas is a former MWRD Public Affairs Director and two-time national award winner for water policy education and legislative communications.
Jill earned national recognition for translating complex water projects and policy into clear information for the public and legislators. Her decades of experience across the public, private and nonprofit sectors help turn issues into practical infrastructure solutions.
- Former MWRD Public Affairs Director
- Two national awards for public education and policy communications
- Principal of Thomas & Joyce public-affairs consultancy
- B.S., University of Maryland, summa cum laude
Meet Jill · Candidate questionnaire
My Answers to the League of Women Voters
My experience, priorities and plans for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
1. Education, experience and skills
My career crosses public policy, government and community engagement, including major infrastructure and environmental projects with many communities MWRD serves. As former MWRD Public Affairs Director, my experience stretched from the Deep Tunnel to the policy table with local leaders and the public. That service earned two national awards for water and environment education and legislative communications. I have a Bachelor's degree in Human Ecology, with highest honors, from the University of Maryland. I lead programs and policy forward with clear goals, deadlines and responsibility so taxpayers can easily see where projects stand, where they stall and whether they work.
2. Significant storms and flooding
MWRD needs to stop using yesterday’s standards for today’s storms. Update rainfall estimates, forecasts and operating rules as weather changes. After every major storm, have an After-Action Review. What happened? What worked? What failed? Use those answers to improve the next storm response and decide which projects come first. MWRD already has real-time data and maps. Make them easy for the public to find and understand—as familiar as ComEd’s outage system.
3. Other important challenges
First, make MWRD easier to understand. Taxpayers should be able to follow their money from their tax bill to the public benefit. Second, find new income beyond property taxes by recovering useful products from wastewater. Create a Resource Recovery & Revenue Team using existing staff to find sales for reclaimed water, biosolids, fertilizer and natural gas. Data centers are one opportunity. Find water-heavy projects early and connect them with MWRD water reuse before plans are locked in. Conserve our fresh water and turn a waste stream into a revenue stream for taxpayers.
4. New initiatives for 2027–2032
Accountability. Education. Action. Make Stormwater Central a Project Delivery Dashboard showing cost, progress, delays, results and who is responsible for the next step. Expand MWRD partnerships to engage students, lawmakers, local leaders and environmental groups to follow the water. Start with Cook County traditional and homeschool educators, then expand. Launch Water Wisdom Month from World Water Day through Earth Day. Set District-wide goals for capturing stormwater, protecting sewers and reusing water. Post the results: gallons captured and saved, water reused and people taking part. Recognize everyone who participates.
5. Where can expenses be reduced?
Stop automatic spending. Make every added dollar earn its way forward. I would move right away to set Board spending rules that watch the budget—and the Board itself. Put required checkpoints in contracts and funding approvals when costs rise, projects fall behind, are extended or services are renewed. The review must reveal: Why did the cost change? Should we keep spending? Consultants must show why outside expertise is needed and what taxpayers get for it. No review, no more spending. Any exception requires a Board vote at a public meeting, with reasons and disclosure or recusal on the record. Stalled projects get a decision: move it, fix it or redirect the money. Waste less. Deliver more.
Meet Jill · Candidate questionnaire · October 8, 2026
Chicago Tribune Candidate Q&A
My responses to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, including the expanded second round on my MWRD tenure, project accountability, spending and workforce development.
Chicago Tribune Candidate Q&A
My initial responses on MWRD experience and priorities.
Read Round 1 (PDF)Expanded Tribune Q&A
Follow-up questions on my service at MWRD, independent oversight, program and staffing reviews, and preparing the next generation of water professionals.
Read Round 2 (PDF)Accountability that shows its work
Follow the Water
Following the water. Following the money. Following the facts.
Stormwater project delivery
Which projects move, which stall and whether residents can see a clear path from public promise to completed protection.
Your dollars at work
Budgets, borrowing, contracts and schedules explained in ordinary language—with source documents attached.
Cook County’s water future
Smart sewers, water reuse, new demand and the infrastructure decisions that will shape the next generation.
Cook County Flood Protection
Reported flooding and project updates, 2025–September 2026, at locations shown.
Every published Water File will separate verified facts from developing questions and link readers to the evidence.
Learn it. Laugh at it. Then fix it.
Water, Wit & Wisdom
A plain-English tour through the water systems beneath our feet—and the decisions made above them.
Your Water. Your Taxes. How’s That Work?
Wonder
Water is ancient, remarkable and shared.
Understanding
See how sewers, treatment plants, tunnels and reservoirs work.
Personal relevance
Learn why streets and basements flood—and who owns which responsibility.
Accountability
Ask what taxpayers are buying, who is responsible and what should change.
“Dry basements. Don’t drain taxpayers.”
AM 560 • The Real Story
Jeanne and Amy talk with Republican, Tribune-endorsed Jill Shestokas
Watch Jill’s interview with Jeanne Ives and Amy Jacobson.
Watch Jill’s Shorts
Quick takes on water, flooding and accountability. Choose a Short below, then press Play.
Watch Jill’s Videos Here
Press Play on any video below to watch without leaving this page.
Jill Shestokas on MWRD, Harvey & Illinois Accountability | The Trumpet’s Call
Jill Shestokas, Don Tracy & Christine McGovern | Common Sense for Illinois
Jill Shestokas: Who’s Accountable for MWRD’s $1.8 Billion? | Cook County
Michelle Pennington: Holding MWRD Accountable Before Election Day
Families, Clean Water & Accountability | Shestokas, Pennington & Rueckert for MWRD
Your Water. Your Taxes. Who’s Working for You? We Will.
11 Years to Protect Harvey Homes? Taxpayers Deserve Answers
Jill Shestokas on MWRD Spending, Flood Projects and Transparency
Jill Shestokas for MWRD Commissioner Explains The Issues
Chicago Keeps Flooding—Jill Shestokas Says It’s Time for Accountability
News
Campaign news and updates.
Follow Jill’s campaign, read the Water Files and find new Water, Wit & Wisdom videos.
Chicago Tribune Endorses Jill Shestokas for MWRD Commissioner
The editorial board recognizes Jill’s experience, independent oversight and commitment to taxpayer transparency.
Read the release (PDF)
OCTOBER 9, 2026 • IN THE NEWS
Harvey flood project draws questions over rising costs, delays and contractor
The Center Square · By Catrina Barker
Jill Shestokas calls for answers on Harvey’s projected 11-year flood-project timeline, rising costs and contractor review—and a public way to track MWRD projects.
Read the article (PDF) Download PDF
Read the full article at The Center Square →$390 Million Skokie Plant: Do the Math Before the Shovels
Timothy E. Rueckert calls for a clear accounting of total costs, financing, operating expenses and alternatives for MWRD’s O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant project.
Read the release (PDF)Follow the Water
Read what Jill finds when she follows the water, the money and the facts.
Read the Water Files →Water, Wit & Wisdom
Jill’s videos live here: plain-English explanations of the systems beneath our feet and the decisions made above them.
Watch the series →Campaign updates
See Jill’s newest videos, announcements, photos and appearances.
Follow Jill on FacebookRepublicans add three candidates to the Cook County ballot
Michelle Pennington, Timothy Rueckert and Jill Shestokas secured their places on the November 3 ballot after an objection to their candidacies was withdrawn.
Read the full story →Press releases
News from the campaign.
OCTOBER 16, 2026
Chicago Tribune Endorses Jill Shestokas for MWRD Commissioner
Editorial Board Recognizes Experience, Independent Oversight and Commitment to Taxpayer Transparency.
Read the release (PDF) Download PDFOCTOBER 15, 2026
Sloppy Records. Unenforced Rules. MWRD Candidates Ask: Who’s Watching Your Tax Dollars?
Inspector General finds inadequate mileage logs for eight commissioners, raising broader questions about accountability at the top. Michelle Pennington, Tim Rueckert and Jill Shestokas demand enforcement and a public review of commissioner vehicle use.
Read the release (PDF) Download PDFOCTOBER 14, 2026
Lockport Powerhouse Rehabilitation Stretches to 2029 - MWRD Records Also List 2030
Tim Rueckert calls for answers on generator outages, conflicting schedules, and lost renewable energy income.
Read the release Download PDFOCTOBER 6, 2026
$390 Million Skokie Plant: Do the Math Before the Shovels
Timothy E. Rueckert calls for a clear accounting of total costs, financing, operating expenses and alternatives for MWRD’s O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant project.
Read the release (PDF) Download PDFSEPTEMBER 22, 2026
MWRD Candidates Question Harvey Demolition Award to Contractor Cited by OSHA
KLF Enterprises also named in 2024 state lawsuit alleging asbestos was released into the air.
Read the release Download Word copySEPTEMBER 1, 2026
MWRD Candidates Demand Immediate Action to Secure Abandoned Harvey Properties
Pennington, Rueckert and Shestokas call for securing publicly owned properties and explaining the project's purpose, cost and timeline.
Events
Meet Jill in your community.
24OCT
2026
2026
CANDIDATE APPEARANCE • SOUTH HOLLAND
Montrell O’Tay Podcast & South Holland October Family Fest
2:00 p.m. podcast • Family Fest afterward
South Highland Baptist Church
Jill will appear with Michelle Pennington.
26OCT
2026
2026
CHICAGO REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S NETWORK
CRWN Cocktail Membership Drive
Monday, October 26 • 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Mary Jo Maguire’s, 2251 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Cash bar. $20 for nonmembers; fee waived with a new membership.
RSVP: events@crwn.org
26OCT
2026
2026
CANDIDATE FORUM • CHICAGO
Polish American Congress — 2026 Candidates Forum
Monday, October 26 • 6:30 p.m.
Polish National Alliance, 6100 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60646
Hosted by the Polish American Congress — Illinois Division. Meet the candidates, hear their plans and priorities, and ask questions at a forum focused on the Polish-American community.
28OCT
2026
2026
CANDIDATE APPEARANCE • PALATINE
Northwest Suburban Republican Lincoln Day Dinner
Wednesday, October 28 • Time to be confirmed
The Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Dr., Palatine, IL 60074
19th annual dinner. For event details: T.J. Brown, tjbrown@northfieldgop.org, (847) 250-6876.
More campaign events will be posted as details are confirmed.
Get Involved
Help Jill stop flooding and stop waste.
Every door knocked, call made, event hosted and post shared helps Cook County voters find Jill—and ballot number 53.
Volunteer
Join Jill for events, neighborhood outreach, phone calls or online sharing.
I want to volunteerDonate
Help print materials, reach voters and carry Jill’s message across Cook County.
Contact Jill
Invite Jill to an event, ask a question or send campaign information.
Email JillGet involved
Want a yard sign?
Help neighbors remember to vote for all three MWRD candidates.
Want a yard sign? Email Jill
What is MWRD?
The government agency you rely on every day—even if you’ve never heard of it.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District protects our water environment and operates major regional flood-control infrastructure across Chicago and suburban Cook County.
MWRD also reclaims and cleans wastewater after it leaves homes and businesses. It does not provide the water that comes through your tap.
Commissioners approve policy, budgets, borrowing, contracts and land decisions. Those choices affect homes, neighborhoods and taxpayers for generations.
Planning beyond the next budget
“The staff operates today’s system. Commissioners must prepare tomorrow’s system.”
Jill will push for a visible, measurable, next-generation water plan for Cook County—one that respects the professionals doing the work and demands accountability from the people setting policy.
Good public policy improves people’s lives, earns public trust, and is grounded in evidence and fiscal responsibility.
Election Day • November 3, 2026
Vote Jill Shestokas for MWRD Commissioner.
You may choose up to three candidates for MWRD Commissioner. The race appears far down the Cook County ballot, just above the judges. Keep going until you reach Michelle Pennington #51, Timothy Rueckert #52 and Jill Shestokas #53—then use all three choices.
51Michelle
Pennington
Pennington
52Timothy E.
Rueckert
Rueckert
53Jill B.
Shestokas
Shestokas
GO ALL THE WAY TO 53