Beth McElroy Kirkwood
Beth McElroy Kirkwood is a member of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago in Illinois. Her current term ends in 2026.
Kirkwood (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago in Illinois. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026.[source]
Kirkwood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2026
See also: Municipal elections in Cook County, Illinois (2026)
General election
The primary will occur on March 17, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (3 seats)
Incumbent Precious Brady-Davis (D), incumbent Eira Corral Sepulveda (D), incumbent Beth McElroy Kirkwood (D), and Sarah Bury (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago on March 17, 2026.
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Shavonda Fields (D)
Republican primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Republican primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (3 seats)
Frank Rowder (R) is running in the Republican primary for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago on March 17, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Frank Rowder (Write-in) | ||
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| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Kirkwood received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Beth McElroy Kirkwood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kirkwood's responses.
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I was raised in a family deeply committed to public service, my parents, Ed and Rita, introduced me to the Young Democrats, sparking my lifelong dedication to Democratic organizing.
Since 2021, I’ve served as the Orland Township Committeeperson, working to bring Democratic values to local leadership. My background also includes service on the Oak Lawn Library Board, the Orland Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Open Lands Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
In 2019 and 2025, I was elected to the Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees and have served as Chair for the past two years, helping to balance $160 million budgets and expand educational and workforce opportunities. In December 2024, I was appointed by Governor Pritzker to serve as a Commissioner at the MWRD, where I’ve focused on practical leadership, interagency collaboration, and community-centered environmental initiatives. I was married to the late Jack Kirkwood, and together we chose to make our home in Orland Park, where we raised our three children, Mike, Tim, and Megan. I remain actively engaged in our community, which further strengthens my commitment to public service and community advocacy.- I am committed to advancing stormwater equity and protecting our most vulnerable communities from chronic flooding. By expanding green infrastructure programs like Space to Grow and prioritizing neighborhoods with the greatest need, we can safeguard homes and businesses while creating healthier, more vibrant community spaces across Cook County.
- I will fight to modernize our clean water infrastructure and protect Lake Michigan, the source of our drinking water. Investing in sustainable water collection, treatment, and distribution systems not only protects public health and the environment but also supports long-term economic growth and creates high-wage jobs in historically underserved areas.
- As Commissioner and Chair of Public Information and Education, I am dedicated to expanding environmental education and the Space to Grow program to suburban townships and schools throughout Cook County. My goal is to educate the next generation about water conservation and sustainability, ensuring every child understands the importance of protecting our environment and has the opportunity to thrive.
Through strategic partnerships and targeted public investment, I am focused building climate resilience, improving public health, and creating high-quality jobs across Cook County.
Chicago Federation of Labor
Cook County Democratic Party
Citizen Action Illinois
Cook County College Teachers Union
Chicago Teachers Union
Service Employees International Union
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134
Chicago Pipefitters Local 597
West Suburban Teachers Union 571
Plumbers and Tech Engineers local 130a
Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council
Personal PAC
Chicago Fire Firefighters Union Local 2
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.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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