Precious Brady-Davis

DemocraticMWRD Commissioner

↗ Campaign site

Raised

$69,756

THE JACKET

Who funds Precious Brady-Davis?

$69,756

Source: https://www.illinoissunshine.org/committees/37015/

No donor breakdown available yet.

This candidate has limited public financial disclosure. Check FEC.gov or IllinoisSunshine.org for filing details.

Red Flags

⚠️policyNo donor itemization available

ILSBE top-25 donor list for committee 37015 is rendered dynamically and could not be scraped. Individual donor names unconfirmed.

Source: → https://www.illinoissunshine.org/committees/37015/

🚩electoralLost 2022 MWRD primary before being appointed

Brady-Davis placed 5th in the June 2022 Democratic primary with 10.9% (126,672 votes), losing to incumbents. She was subsequently appointed by Gov. Pritzker in 2023 after Kimberly du Buclet's vacancy — a path to office via gubernatorial appointment rather than direct voter mandate.

Source: → https://ballotpedia.org/Precious_Brady-Davis

Bio

Precious Brady-Davis is a transgender activist, author, and environmental advocate serving as MWRD Commissioner. She was appointed to the board on July 5, 2023 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to fill the vacancy left by Kimberly du Buclet — making her the first openly transgender elected official in Illinois. She won an uncontested special Democratic primary on March 19, 2024 (425,160 votes), then defeated Republican R. Cary Capparelli 69.3% to 30.7% (1,284,203 to 567,911 votes) in the November 2024 general election. She is seeking her first full 6-year elected term in 2026. She is the author of 'I Have Always Been Me' (2018 memoir). Her environmental justice platform centers South and West Side communities, green infrastructure, climate resilience, and ending MWRD land leases to polluters.

Prior office: MWRD Commissioner (appointed July 5, 2023 by Gov. Pritzker; special election Nov. 2024–present). Former communications professional and LGBTQ+ rights advocate. Author of 'I Have Always Been Me' (2018 memoir).

Key Votes

yesMWRD Ostara Nutrient Recovery Program
Voted to advance the Ostara nutrient recovery program — phosphorus removal from wastewater to protect waterways.
yesMWRD Drug Take-Back Partnership
Supported drug take-back partnership with Cook County Sheriff to reduce pharmaceutical pollution in water systems.
yesMWRD Green Infrastructure Playground Investments
Supported expanding green infrastructure in playgrounds — permeable surfaces reducing stormwater overflow.
advocateMWRD Land Lease Policy — Polluter Tenants
Publicly advocates for evicting MWRD land tenants that pollute waterways. 'Evict toxic tenants: We must stop leasing MWRD land to polluters who endanger our waterways, wildlife, and public health.'
advocateMcCook Reservoir Completion Advocacy
Advocates to complete Stage II of the Deep Tunnel (McCook Reservoir) by 2029 to dramatically increase flood retention capacity.

Career History

MWRD Commissioner — Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago2023–present
Appointed July 5, 2023 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker; won 2024 special general election 69.3% to 30.7%; first openly transgender elected official in Illinois.
Communications Professional / LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate — Various Chicago-area organizationspre-2023
15+ years advancing public health and LGBTQ+ rights advocacy in Chicago.
Author — Self2018
Published 'I Have Always Been Me' — memoir about gender identity and transgender experience.

What They Stand For

Environmental Justice

Direct MWRD resources to South and West Sides — neighborhoods hit hardest by flooding but receiving least financial help. Evict toxic tenants from MWRD-owned land.

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Green Infrastructure

Build permeable playgrounds and green spaces to prevent flooding; create job training and mentorships in the trades alongside green infrastructure work.

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Climate Change

Cut MWRD greenhouse gas emissions by 50%; install new primary treatment systems to convert methane to usable energy; advocate for wind energy to power aeration at MWRD facilities.

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Stormwater / Flooding

Transform rain barrels into public art; complete McCook Reservoir (Deep Tunnel Stage II) by 2029.

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Water Quality

Strengthen water quality monitoring; remove invasive species; end MWRD facilitation of methane production.

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Public Access

Expand wetland parks, preserves, and bike trails along Calumet River and other waterways for public nature access.

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Endorsements

Social Media Pulse

positiveUpdated 2026-03-14

High-profile national figure due to transgender identity milestone. Strong positive sentiment among progressive, LGBTQ+, and environmental justice communities. Broad media coverage since 2023 appointment.

#PreciousBradyDavis#MWRD#TransRights#EnvironmentalJustice#CookCounty

Trust Indicators

✅ILSBE committee registered and reporting— Committee 37015 — Dec 31, 2025 quarterly report on file
✅Won county-wide special election 2024— 69.3% — 1,284,203 votes
✅First openly transgender elected official in Illinois
✅No ethics violations on record
⚪Appointed path to office (not directly elected initially)— Appointed 2023 by Gov. Pritzker before winning special election