[Communications] MWRD Commissioner Du Buclet Newsletter

[Kimberly Neely Du Buclet]

View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/ce0cfdbfb84f/commissioner-kimberly-neely-du-buclets-monthly-newsletter-4228409?e=c4ca39f2f7)
Next Regular Board Meeting on Thursday
July 15th at 10:30 am
The Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting on Thursday July 15th at 10:30am and public participation is encouraged. Visit mwrd.org to see the meeting agenda and live stream viewing instructions.  I look forward to hearing from you at the next MWRD Board meeting!

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MWRD Commissioners approve resolutions in honor of Juneteeth and Puerto Rican Pride

At the June 17th Board meeting MWRD Commissioners approved resolutions in honor of Juneteeth and Puerto Rican Pride.

JUNETEETH: MWRD was the first government agency to declare Juneteenth as a paid holiday option in 2020. Look at the resolution passed recognizing significance and importance of their decision.

PUERTO RICAN PRIDE: June is a month of celebration of Puerto Rican pride and Board of Commissioners honored the President and CEO Jose R. Sanchez of Humboldt Park Health, President and CEO Eddy Borrayo of Rincon Family Services, and Puerto Rican Agenda, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Puerto Ricans in Chicago and Puerto Rico.


Fox News highlights MWRD's
"Save the Monarchs" partnership
** (https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/943281)
Click on the News image to watch the video

Commissioner DuBuclet discusses the importance of the work done at MWRD and its efforts to save the Monarch Butterfly population with FOX 32 anchors Anita Padilla and Scott Schneider.

FREE MILLWEED SEEDS: Take our ** online pledge  (https://mwrd.org/form/monarch-butterfly-pledge)
to help save the monarchs. While supplies last, we will send you a complimentary packet of milkweed seeds (available to Cook County residents only) when you complete and submit your ** pledge. (https://mwrd.org/form/monarch-butterfly-pledge)
For more information on partnership with the Illinois Monarch Project please click the following link ** Save the Monarchs (https://mwrd.org/save-monarchs)
.
MWRD's Space to Grow project at Melody STEM school

Commissioner DuBuclet is joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Ald Jason Ervin Streets at Melody STEM School on the west side, to showcase MWRD's latest partnership with the Space to Grow. This program transforms Chicago schoolyards into beautiful and functional spaces to play, learn, garden and combine use special design elements to help reduce neighborhood flooding.

For more information about MWRD's partnership with CPS and Chicago's Department of Water Management please click on the following link ** Space 2 Grow (https://www.spacetogrowchicago.org/)
.
City of Blue Island Waterfall Park & Fireworks

The City of Blue Island's Public Works Department, in partnership with the Blue Island Park District and MWRD, has been hard at work this month preparing the waterfall park for summer and it looks great. Fireworks at the Falls this Saturday, June 26!

To learn more about the waterfall park aka SEPA (Sidestream Elevated Pool Aeration Station) #3 please click on the following link ** SEPA #3 (https://mwrd.org/sidestream-elevated-pool-aeration-sepa-stations?fbclid=IwAR1aO67rUVemwF1sUWbsGKs002gRTieSp9SQkBNezs_tbSY3EFD4YFDhWdI)
*CONTEST* Be a 2021 H20 Hero!

WEF is hosting a digital contest for students of all ages to submit their very own Water Palooza Video!

In order to help friends and neighbors understand the importance of water in their lives, please put together a brief video addressing one of the following topics:

• What Not to Flush? What we flush down our drains impacts the world we live in. In a brief video, show us some of the things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet.

• How do we get water? People need to share water in order to survive. In a brief video, show us how you get your water, where it comes from, and some ways how you can minimize wasting water.

• Where does the water go? There are many ways to filter and replenish our water. In a brief video, show us a few ways to clean our water.

For more information about Waterpalooza please click on the following link ** WEF Video Contest (https://wef.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/login/103?returnUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwef.secure-platform.com%2Fa%2Fsolicitations%2F103%2Fhome)
.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Grant Funding
** (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ginxi49-Q62aboZiPCaGXA?fbclid=IwAR3CDMO98FNTURLdFWzhQEMtBvuA49khm5Ikxxma1On_-VXsqJcPZTqRXdk)
APPLICATION DEADLINE is JULY 30th. For more details about this program please click of the following link ** IEPA 319 Grant Funding (https://www.epa.gov/nps/319-grant-current-guidance)
Restore The Canopy Relaunch
** (https://mwrd.org/eq-compost)

In response to significant losses in the tree population due to the emerald ash borer infestations and extreme weather, the MWRD launched RTC in 2016. Since that time, the MWRD has given away more than 93,000 free tree saplings.

WHO: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)

WHAT: The MWRD will provide a variety of free potted oak saplings every Wednesday through its Restore the Canopy (RTC), Plant a Tree program.

WHERE: Visit MWRD water reclamation plants (WRPs) at the following locations:

** Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, 400 E. 130th St., Chicago (https://goo.gl/maps/QkV1ReQmFyVMLpcJ7)

** O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, 3500 Howard Street, Skokie (https://goo.gl/maps/sGHxgHE9Pivdo8PE7)

** Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, 6001 W. Pershing Rd., Cicero (https://goo.gl/maps/o79Y7yvYFATkBEAt8)

** Egan Water Reclamation Plant, 550 South Meacham Rd, Schaumburg (https://goo.gl/maps/wVBW8yzZ1CbUvys3A)

** Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant, 1220 Sycamore Ave., Hanover Park (https://goo.gl/maps/rstQuHVHpYuhPsky7)

** Kirie Water Reclamation Plant, 701 West Oakton St., Des Plaines (https://goo.gl/maps/6PqrWNDG6wedA6Cv7)

WHEN: Every Wednesday in April through October, from 9 a.m. to noon.
For more information about MWRD's Restore the Canopy relaunch please click on the following link ** Restore The Canopy 2021 (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2021%20Restoring%20the%20Canopy.pdf)
.
FREE Ways To Get Trees Planted in Chicago
Planting trees is one of the simplest nature-based solutions to climate change and is a tangible way for individuals to make a positive impact on the environment. Programs in Chicago provide new trees and replace trees lost on city blocks to residents with the condition that residents put in the time and work to maintain the tree once it’s planted. Openlands wants to help you become an active steward of Chicago’s urban forest, which is why we’ve created this guide to help you find trees in Chicago through one of the programs offered to residents. Below are a number of ways to can get trees to plant.

Chicago 3-1-1:
Chicago residents looking to plant a tree in their neighborhood can contact Chicago’s 3-1-1 service. Residents can simply call 3-1-1 or submit a request online. Once the request is approved, the Bureau of Forestry will plant a tree along the public right-of-way in your neighborhood.

Openlands Tree Planters Grants: Tree Planters Grants provide new trees to communities in the City of Chicago and the near south suburbs.

Chicago Region Trees Initiative Program: As part of the Plant Trees for Communities Initiative with the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), of which Openlands is a founding member, individuals are invited to plant at least one tree in every local community in the seven-county Chicago region and in each of the 50 Chicago wards (approx. 340 trees) in 2021.

Purchase a Tree at the Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale: The Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale offers a wide variety of native trees for purchase that are not available at most big-box stores and nurseries.

For more information about ways to get Trees planted for FREE or for purchase click on the following link ** TREE FUNDING (https://openlands.org/2021/04/30/how-to-get-trees-planted-in-your-chicago-neighborhood/?fbclid=IwAR1uaJyf53SaGR-iaZCc9J_hm3KgWvjwRMfsDGPFOXqoR9GCcSNNOOvfdxk)
.
MWRD Virtual Tour
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR EXPERIENCE!

Travel back in time to early Chicago to see how we reversed the Chicago River and developed wastewater treatment technology. Go behind the scenes and under water to see how we transform the water you use every day; descend 300 feet into the deep tunnel system, and watch our electrofishing crew at work sampling fish on the Chicago River.

Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Time: 7PM  – 8:15PM
Location: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpd-igpzwrGdCBfVZzBu6JuukpPq3Qh16i
MWRD Small Streams Maintenance Program
The Small Stream Maintenance Program is one of MWRD's little know programs. If left unattended, this debris could cause stream blockages and lead to flooding. Please help be our eyes by reporting blockages and debris in streams at ** https://gispub.mwrd.org/ssmp/ (https://gispub.mwrd.org/ssmp/?fbclid=IwAR2qzfZOCqc2nNJ-GTHzqS4DZ5uOUq3EB6u_NikmXvG8OxCSQB0M7j68U74)
or call (312) 787-3575.
Free Compost for Pick Up!
** (https://mwrd.org/eq-compost)
Click photo for more information on MWRD's compost programs
Cook County Covid-19 Vaccinations
Cook County Government, Cook County Health and Cook County Department of Public Health are pleased to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to those living or working in Cook County.

Sign up to receive:
* Updates on the Vaccine and the Community Vaccination Program
* Notification for when vaccine administration is open to your phase
* Information on scheduling a vaccine appointment through Cook County Health
* Information on vaccine distribution locations throughout Cook County

For more information please click on the following link ** Cook County Vaccinations (https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/)
.
Free Fun Water Education Resources!
Home looking for things for the kids to do? Check out MWRD’s free and fun activities and resources available on our ** website (https://mwrd.org/k-12)
. There you’ll find lots of fun ways to learn about MWRD and how to protect our water and the environment. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. Print, use, learn and enjoy!
MWRD Storybook & Animation for Children

Have you ever wondered what happens after you flush the toilet?

The new MWRD publication and animated video "Where does IT Go?" tells the story of three young water explorers who travel in a magical ship through MWRD pipes, sewers and tanks that are used to clean dirty water. Interspersed throughout the storybook are photos of actual equipment and processes described in the story.
Download a copy of this storybook by clicking on the following link  ** Where does IT Go (Storybook) (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/documents/WhereDoesItGo_200921.pdf)
and ** Where does IT Go (Animation) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed_kMwLK9q8)
.
Green Explorers Club "Project Boxes"
Green Explorers Club teaches kids the tools of sustainability while building a healthy curiosity for life sciences and the environment. They explore sustainability through hands-on experiments and activities that demonstrate the importance of taking care of our planet. They take kids out into nature and explore the world hands-on through experience.

However, for kids who want to try
Green Explorers Club at home, or families who do not live close to their Chicago location, their project boxes are the next best thing. Every project box contains activities used in their studio with the fantastic kids who join their camps and classes every year. Their project boxes are designed for kids ages 4-9 years.

For more information about the Green Explorers Club and their Project Boxes please click on the following link ** Project Boxes (https://greenexplorersclub.com/pages/project-boxes-3/)
.
Employment Opportunities at MWRD
Current Positions

Assistant Treasurer - Annual Salary $136,244.94/year
Associate Electrical Engineer - Annual Salary $81,498.04/year
Electrical Instrument & Testing Mechanic Foreman - Hourly Pay Rate $63.90/hour
Electrical Instrument & Testing Mechanic Leadman - Hourly Pay Rate $59.90/hour
Electrical Mechanic Foreman - Hourly Pay Rate $56.00/hour
Electrical Mechanic Sub-Foreman - Hourly Pay Rate $53.00/hour
Machinist Foreman - Hourly Pay Rate $53.18/hour
Machinist Leadman - Hourly Pay Rate $52.18/hour
Pipefitter Foreman - Hourly Pay Rate $57.00/hour
Pipefitter Leadman - Hourly Pay Rate $55.00/hour
Senior Environmental Chemist - Annual Salary $100,956.96/year
Truck Driver Foreman - Hourly Pay Rate $43.15/hour

** Online Employment Center Link  (https://www.jobapscloud.com/mwrd/)
Upcoming Events
Click Link to see ** Community Events (https://mwrd.org/events)
Contact Information
Our mailing address is:

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Commissioner Kimberly Du Buclet
100 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Phone Number
312-751-5086
** Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/Kim4Water )
** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KIM4MWRD/)
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