Chicago May Sell Water To Joliet: Crain's Exposes Secret Meeting

JOLIET, IL — Joliet's director of public utilities, Allison Swisher, reacted with displeasure after Crain's Chicago Business revealed that Swisher was involved in arranging a secret meeting in late August with a couple top officials from the staff of new Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to discuss the city of Joliet's long-term water supply.

"The following week, I received a phone call from Crain's inquiring about Joliet's water study and seeking confirmation that a meeting with Chicago was held," Swisher informed the city of Joliet's Environmental Commission in an email dated Wednesday, Sept. 4, that was obtained by Joliet Patch. "It is unknown who informed Crain's of the meeting, but it was not initiated by either Joliet or Chicago."

The Aug. 28 Crain's article by journalist Greg Hinz contained the following news account: "In a sign of how serious the talks are, Chicago Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett last week took time out from trying to determine how to fill a Chicago budget hole that may exceed $1 billion to meet with Allison Swisher, Joliet's director of public utilities. Also in the meeting was Anne Sheahan, Chicago's deputy mayor for infrastructure."

In the email, Swisher wrote: "Chicago requested a meeting which was scheduled on Monday, August 19 and held on Wednesday, August 21 at Joliet City Hall. In attendance for Joliet was myself and Steve Jones, interim city manager. In attendance for Chicago was Anne Sheahan, deputy mayor for infrastructure, Jennie (Bennett), chief financial officer, and their consultant, Greeley & Hansen."

"At this meeting, they stated the new administration is very interested in the development of a competitive, transparent regional water supply plan including creating a better working relationship with suburban customers," Swisher went on to explain. "We invited Chicago to make a presentation at the October 8th Environmental Commission meeting which they accepted."

Will Chicago's new Mayor Lori Lightfoot be making a trip to Joliet in the near future? That's the plan, according to Swisher. The city of Chicago "will be providing our mayor's office with dates in early September for a meeting with Mayor Lightfoot," she wrote.