Rashad Reed is a healthcare professional, public health advocate, and proud Chicagoan running for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. With over 13 years of experience helping underserved communities navigate complex healthcare systems, he brings a deep commitment to equity, environmental justice, and public service.

Born and raised on Chicago’s West Side and now a current resident on Chicago’s South Side, Rashad has witnessed firsthand the impact of systemic inequities, disinvestment, environmental neglect, and limited access to essential services. Growing up in neighborhood of North Lawndale, he saw how flooding, pollution, and lack of healthcare access could shape a family’s well-being and opportunities.

Rashad is running for Commissioner because he believes public health and infrastructure must go hand in hand with community engagement at the center. Flooding, stormwater management, and water pollution are not just environmental issues; they are public health crises that disproportionately affect residents in Cook County.

Rashad’s vision is built on transparency, accountability, and ensuring every resident has a seat at the table when infrastructure decisions are made. As Commissioner, he will ensure MWRD actively involves communities, listens to their concerns, delivers equitable investments, and prioritizes all neighborhoods so they receive the protection and resources they deserve.

Currently, Rashad works directly with patients admitted in the hospital to secure life-saving medications and navigate structural, financial, and systemic barriers to care giving him a clear view of how policy decisions affect everyday lives.

Rashad has served on the Associate Board of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, leading advocacy, fundraising, and outreach to combat HIV stigma, and volunteered with CommunityHealth to help address care for low-income and uninsured Chicagoans. He now mentors’ undergraduates at his alma mater Roosevelt University in the STEM Lakers Mentorship Program, guiding their career growth and inspiring them to use their healthcare paths to give back to their communities.

Rashad is a graduate of Roosevelt University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science Administration, and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where he earned a Master’s in Public Administration. He is currently enrolled at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he is pursuing a Master of Public Health concentrating in Community Health.