Heading Off Crisis: Northeastern Illinois Water Supply Forum

May 12, 2016, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a past event

Two Brothers Roundhouse
205 N. Broadway, Aurora, Ill. 60505

Flickr user Doran (CC)

The Metropolitan Planning Council and Northwest Water Planning Alliance invite you to an interactive discussion about pressing water supply issues in Northeastern Illinois, hosted by the City of Aurora.

Think Northeastern Illinois is immune to water supply issues? Think again.

Recent reports indicate both decreasing groundwater availability and increasing water pollution concerns in Northeastern Illinois. At the same time, much of our infrastructure is old and in need of reinvestment. Adding to all these pressures is the increasing uncertainty and pressure that climate change puts on our established water supply systems.

What are the causes? What are the implications? What are some solutions that will help ensure clean and plentiful water for generations to come? Join fellow elected and appointed community officials, planners, regulators and water industry experts in an interactive forum to discuss today’s current challenges and workable solutions to tackling Northeastern Illinois’ most pressing water supply issues.

Now is the time to ensure safe and reliable water service for the health of our communities and the prosperity of our region.

This not-to-miss event will feature an opening address by Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, and a lunch keynote by international water resource expert and former General Manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southern Nevada Water Authority Pat Mulroy.

The working agenda is as follows:

Morning keynote

Mayor Weisner, City of Aurora

Our water supply issues—yes, we have some

Walt Kelly, Illinois State Water Survey
Stephen McCracken, Conservation Foundation (invited)
Paul May, Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency

Big picture needs

Moderator: Edith Makra, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
Josh Ellis, Metropolitan Planning Council
Margaret Schneemann, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program

Luncheon keynote

Pat Mulroy, Brookings Institution

We’re all in this together

Moderator: Peter Wallers, Representing the Northwest Water Planning Alliance
Village President Matthew Brolley, Village of Montgomery
Bart Olson, City Administrator, United City of Yorkville

Treating water like the asset it is

Moderator: Josh Ellis, Metropolitan Planning Council
Mayor Weisner, City of Aurora
Mayor Tisdahl, City of Evanston
Mayor Pedersen, Village of Franklin Park

Now’s the time for action

Danielle Gallet, Metropolitan Planning Council
Peter Wallers, Representing the Northwest Water Planning Alliance
Mayor Weisner, City of Aurora

Happy hour

Event ticket includes appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks. A cash bar will be available.

City of Aurora, MPC and Northwest Water Planning Alliance thank our generous sponsors for their support. Other sponsorship opportunities are available; please contact MPC Manager Danielle Gallet at dgallet@metroplanning.org or 312 863 6016.

Event Sponsor

Luncheon Sponsor

The Harris Family Foundation