MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 4, 2021
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MEMORIAL RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners celebrating the life of Terrence J. O’Brien
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WHEREAS, former Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) President Terrence J. O’Brien followed in both his father and grandfather’s footsteps to a devoted career at the MWRD. His father and grandfather worked at the MWRD’s facility then known as the North Side Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Skokie, and by the time the youngest O’Brien left after 24 years of service as commissioner of the MWRD, the facility bore his name; and
WHEREAS, the former MWRD president left a lasting imprint throughout many chapters of a life dedicated to his family, community, public service and improving the region’s water environment. After a lengthy illness, President O’Brien died on February 28th. He was 64; and
WHEREAS, President O’Brien was first elected to a six-year term as a commissioner of the MWRD in November 1988. His presence on the Board of Commissioners was so effective that he went on to be re-elected three more times by the people of Cook County. During that time, he was also elected by his fellow commissioners as president of the MWRD in 1997 and then unanimously re-elected president eight times; and
WHEREAS, over 24 years as commissioner, President O’Brien never missed a meeting. He was integral in improving water quality in the Chicago River and area waterways; protecting the source of drinking water in Lake Michigan; advancing the MWRD’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP); spearheading legislative efforts to recognize the MWRD as the regional stormwater authority for Cook County to address flooding; helping to create the MWRD’s Information Technology Department; instituting a pollution hotline to report illegal dumping; and demonstrating remarkable financial stewardship to prepare future stability at the MWRD for generations to come. Under his watch as President, O’Brien helped the MWRD maintain a AAA bond rating, marketed MWRD real estate to introduce new revenue streams, and abated more than $262 million, returning it to Cook County property owners while still offering them an essential yet affordable wastewater treatment service; and
WHEREAS, a Chicago native, President O’Brien graduated in 1978 from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. For more than four decades he worked for various consulting firms, managing engineering projects to protect the environment, including projects which provided stormwater management, civil and environmental engineering, and construction administration services; and
WHEREAS, President O’Brien’s project management skills stemmed from a long career in environmental and civil engineering. This helped him bring extensive knowledge to the MWRD to enhance, streamline and deliver many essential projects at the least possible cost to taxpayers. Under his leadership, the MWRD secured more than $800 million in funding to complete the first phase of TARP, constructing and putting into operation 109 miles of deep tunnels to collect stormwater and polluted water and prevent it from backing up into basements, streets and waterways; and
WHEREAS, like his father, William O’Brien, who worked as a painter leadman, and his grandfather, John Hickey, who worked as an operating engineer, President O’Brien inspired many at the MWRD. In November 2012, his fellow commissioners and staff commemorated his service by renaming the North Side Water Reclamation Plant as the Terrence J. O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant. During his tenure, President O’Brien received numerous awards and participated in many professional organizations. He also donated his time to numerous community organizations and functions; and
WHEREAS, following his time at the MWRD, he founded the O’Brien Network, LLC. Since 2016, President O’Brien’s firm offered a range of services to clients, such as business development, governmental relations, consulting advisory, strategic services, coalition building and project oversight; and
WHEREAS, President O’Brien is survived by his wife Julie, and three children, Kevin, Therese and Patrick; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do hereby extend our condolences to the family of Terrence J. O’Brien; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the family of Terrence J. O’Brien.
Dated: March 4, 2021