Working for Cook County
Kim works to protect our most valuable resource, WATER
Chicago and Cook County sit on the Great Lakes which contain 21% of the world’s surface fresh water, and 90% of the U.S. water supply. It is vitally important that we continue to protect this valuable resource. As a MWRD Commissioner, Kim has worked to guide the MWRD in its mission to keep our water safe. As we have learned, access to clean drinking water can not be taken for granted. We must elect knowledgeable and experienced candidates that are committed to protecting our water.
Kim works to prevent flooding
Flooding causes damage to our health, property, and to the environment. Like many people currently experience, my basement often flooded when I was growing up on the south side. This experience has inspired me to find the causes of flooding and to work to prevent them from happening.
We must do more now than ever to prevent flooding. Climatologists have projected that new weather patterns will emerge that could create record rainfalls in the Midwest in the near future. Already, we have seen record rainfall recently because of the shifting weather pattern that started in the 1960’s. With this increased rainfall comes the threat of increased flooding.
While the MWRD has taken steps to help to mitigate flooding, chief among them the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (commonly referred to as TARP or Deep Tunnel), much more and more innovative work must be done, like new investment in green infrastructure. As MWRD Commissioner I will continue to work on finding solutions to protect our homes from flooding.
Working for Protection
Kim works to protect the environment
Since taking office in December 2018, Kim has been an effective leader for new measures to protect our environment. Environmental protections are under serious attack by the Trump administration. We can count on Kim to make sure there is strong local oversight of our water resources.
As Chair of MWRD’s Stormwater Committee, Kim led efforts to pass an updated Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO). The amended WMO requires developers, whose paved parking lots and developments can worsen area flooding problems, to build additional stormwater storage for their projects. This additional storage will slow the release of storm water and keep it from making existing flooding problems worse or creating new flooding problems. In addition, additional storage will help improve water quality in Cook County by preventing pollutants, often found in the water, from reaching our rivers and streams.
If re-elected, Kim will seek to increase the use of Green Infrastructure which allows water to naturally soak into the surrounding soil and be stored. Kim will also continue to advocate for steps we can take in our communities to improve our waters, including disconnecting downspouts from the sewer system and increased use of greywater plumbing systems that also reduce the strains on our sewers. Kim will also lead efforts to combat climate change by having the MWRD increase its use of renewable energy and have the District prepare our water infrastructure for the challenges posed by climate change.