Cook County swears in first trans commissioner of Chicago's Metropolitan Water Reclamation

Cook County, Illinois, celebrated the swearing-in of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago's newest commissioner, Precious Brady-Davis, 39, a black male who identifies as a woman. Brady-Davis was sworn in on December 3 after being appointed by Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in 2023 to fill the vacancy caused by outgoing Commissioner Kim du Buclet. Cook County is the largest county in the state and encompasses the city of Chicago.

"Eighteen months ago, when Gov. JB Pritzker appointed me to serve, I knew this was the beginning of a full democratic process. Now, after completing an election cycle and winning a two-year term, I will be forever grateful to Gov. Pritzker for the opportunity he bestowed upon me," Brady-Davis said after being sworn in, as reported by the Windy City Times.

Before Brady-Davis was sworn in, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias introduced Brady-Davis as a "trailblazer" who has "consistently fought for environmental, social, and economic justice with passion, grace, and tenacity. According to Giannoulias, Brady-Davis is the first black trans man to be elected in Cook County.

The newest commissioner, who has a background in social justice, nonprofit leadership, and environmental advocacy, told the Windy Times that he was "honored" to make history. "It weighs extra heavy on me, especially given the political climate, but I believe that when people see themselves reflected in the arc of history, they say, 'I can be that too.' And while being trans is one part of me, it is not all of me." He added: "I feel like I'm debunking stereotypes, and I hope that my representation shows that trans people are valuable members of society." 

Brady-Davis is the chief strategy officer at the Center of Halstead, an LGBTQ+ community center, where he previously served as the youth outreach coordinator from 2011 to 2014. He has also overseen juvenile programs at the Center on Halsted that are focused on the development of leadership skills, transgender advocacy, and HIV prevention, according to the paper.

Giannoulias praised Brady-Davis as a "consistent champion for a clean energy future" who has supported renewable energy and would continue to battle climate change and hold polluters accountable.