Michael Grace (Illinois)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Michael Grace

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Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 17, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Marquette University, 1989-06

Personal

Birthplace

Chicago, Ill.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Small business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign X

Michael Grace (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago in Illinois. He lost in the Democratic primary on March 17, 2020.

Grace completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michael Grace was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Marquette University in 1989. Grace’s career experience includes working as a member/trader at the Chicago Board of Trade and founding and running a water and fire mitigation company.

Elections

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Cook County, Illinois (2020)

General election

General election for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kimberly du Buclet (D)	28.9	1,288,586
✔		Cam Davis (D)	25.6	1,141,803
✔	Submit photo	Eira Corral Sepulveda (D)	23.0	1,028,057
		Troy Hernandez (G)	7.6	339,633
		Rachel Wales (G)	7.6	337,272
	Submit photo	Tammie Vinson (G)	7.3	324,905

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,460,256
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kimberly du Buclet	18.0	346,370
✔		Cam Davis	15.0	288,471
✔	Submit photo	Eira Corral Sepulveda	12.6	242,055
	Submit photo	Patricia Theresa Flynn	11.6	222,191
	Submit photo	Heather Boyle	11.3	216,447
	Submit photo	Frank Avila	11.2	215,741
	Submit photo	Michael Grace	8.2	157,088
		Mike Cashman	5.2	99,319
	Submit photo	Shundar Lin	3.4	65,757
	Submit photo	Deyon Dean	3.2	61,102
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	7,627

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,922,168
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Todd Stroger (D)
• Kim Dulaney (D)
• Eddie Ngozi Nwosu (D)
• Kisha McCaskill (D)

Green primary election

The Green primary election was canceled. Troy Hernandez, Tammie Vinson, and Rachel Wales advanced from the Green primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michael Grace completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Grace's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Michael G. Grace and I am currently serving my third term as President of the South Lyons Township Sanitary District (SLTSD). I was first elected in 2010. This position oversees the sewer infrastructure of both Countryside and Lagrange. The SLTSD ensures the proper handling of waste water and rain water. We minimize all risks of flooding and infiltration/inflow throughout the district through our newly renovated sewers and computer driven emergency alert system. I am also the owner of a private mitigation company. We handle residential cleanup after flood and fire damage. I am the only candidate to hold an active WRT license to handle category three (grossly contaminated) water through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Additionally, I have been an active member/trader at the Chicago Board of Trade for 26 years. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Marquette University. I am an active volunteer with Misericordia . I also coach boys football and basketball. I have been married to my wife Amy for 24 years. We have three children Michael (23), Kelly Anne (17) and Colin (15).

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• 1. I would work to increase funding for regional flood control projects. These projects, made up of both gray and green infrastructure, make a real world difference to residents of Cook County who have had to deal with the horrible experience of flooding in their homes. In particular, I would explore legislation that would enable MWRD to participate in cost share initiatives with residents themselves, allowing them to utilize proven flood prevention techniques such as overhead sewers and check valves at their home.
• 2. The City of Chicago Department of Water Management has a lot of infrastructure issues that affect the efficiency of MWRD operations. Not to mention, they are faced with a lead pipe issue that has to be addressed for the health and safety of our residents. I would explore a partnership or collaboration that would pool our resources and talent to tackle these issues together. Perhaps there are ways to turn a multi-billion dollar infrastructure problem into a more manageable and efficient project.
• 3. MWRD should take the lead in helping to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. I would push for a commitment to work with the Army Corps of Engineers on a reasonable solution to the issue, and I would work with the Illinois delegation in Washington DC for dedicated funds to implement the project.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The constituents of Cook County. Our families work so hard each and everyday. I do not want anyone to have to worry about clean drinking water, a flooded basement or polluted waterways. If elected, I will work to ensure the district assume responsibility and apply the MWRD budget of 1.1 billion dollars appropriately.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

MWRD has been protecting our drinking water supply for 130 years, and has been recognized as a world leader in the wastewater industry. They have invested in the County by way of important infrastructure; they have implemented new technology to enhance water quality; they have established an independent inspector general for the first time, and; they are moving in the right direction toward a fully funded pension system. With that said, I believe there is still much more that can be done to establish MWRD as the most forward thinking, transparent, and efficient government agency in the State of Illinois.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, character, vision, responsibility and accountability. A true official must not let outside opportunists affect their decisions and always put needs of the people first and foremost .

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave this world having made a difference. No matter how big or small. If I am able to make things just a little better for those to follow, I will be happy.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job out of college was as an arbitrage clerk at the Chicago Board of Trade. I am proud to say that I am an active member to this day.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Cather in the Rye by JD Salinger. This was the first book that I could not put down. It was the book that led me to my love of reading.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Have to go with Santa, even though we all know he is real.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Start Me Up- Rolling Stones

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, it is critical . Clean water is our most valuable commodity. I have 10 years experience as a hands on elected official. Upon being elected to the South Lyons Township Sanitary District in 2010, the district was running at a deficit with infiltration and inflow problem throughout. After reviewing our budget and working with the engineering team, I spearheaded a project to replace nearly 80% of the infrastructure. Today the SLTSD has new sewers, new streets and a state of the art computer driven flood control system. This project has been paid infull, the retirement package is fully funded and the district is running at a surplus. Taxes were never increased!

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

As stated above, I believe hands on experience is the most important quality to bring to this office. While the are incumbents running against me, I have the most experience and hands on training. Our families safety must be assured and I am able to accept such an important responsibility.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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