MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn Leads Berwyn Green Infrastructure Groundbreaking

MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn joined by Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (4th District), and MWRD board colleagues and local aldermen in breaking ground on Green Infrastructure in Berwyn on May 1, 2026

On May 1, 2026, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Vice President Theresa Flynn will join Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (4th District), and local aldermen to break ground on a new green infrastructure project along the 34th Street corridor.

Through the MWRD’s Green Infrastructure Partnership Program, the project will install permeable paver parking lanes capable of capturing up to 112,800 gallons of stormwater per rain event the equivalent of 2,500 bathtubs of water that once flooded streets and basements, now captured, treated at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, and returned to the environment as clean water.

“We are not only improving our streets, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters we are making a positive difference in the quality of life for Cook County residents,” said MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn.

“Across Cook County, we have invested in approximately 300 stormwater management projects to build resilience against climate change, and nearly half are green infrastructure solutions that work like natural systems to absorb more water. We have more work to do, and we know there will be more storms on the horizon but partnerships like the one we celebrate today are what make progress possible.”

MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn with Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (4th District), and MWRD board colleagues and local aldermen May 1, 2026

In addition to today’s groundbreaking event, listed are a few of the MWRD projects in the region:

Storm Sewers Connection to Existing Des Plaines River Outfall Forest Park (Completed)
Groveland Avenue Levee Improvements Riverside (Ongoing)
Janura Park Stormwater Detention Berwyn (Planned) Flow restrictors will be installed on street inlets alongside a new detention facility at Janura Park, designed to capture runoff from storms up to a 10-year event.
36th Street & 61st Avenue Flood Control Project Cicero (Planned) A 9.3 acre-foot underground detention facility will be built at Kolar Park, paired with a new storm sewer to separate stormwater from the combined sewer system and direct runoff to the detention area.

Vice President Commissioner Flynn is pleased to have the collaboration with leaders as well as appreciative of the District staff in its implementation on these projects.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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