Drew wins re-election to North Shore Water Reclamation District board

Democrat Stephen Drew has won another term to represent the North Shore Water Reclamation District's 2nd Ward.

With all 38 precincts reporting, Drew, a Waukegan resident who's represented the 2nd Ward since 2002, defeated Republican challenger Ken Arnold of Gurnee to retain the post.

Drew received 13,630 votes or 70 percent, to Arnold's 5,780 votes, unofficial results showed.

The water district handles sewer services for more than 250,000 people in eastern Lake County. The 2nd Ward includes parts of Waukegan and Gurnee.

Arnold, a tax watchdog and former congressional candidate, was critical of Drew and the other water board members, saying they wasted money on waste-treatment equipment at a plant in Zion.

Drew insisted the board has been fiscally prudent, keeping customer rates stable and eliminating the agency's debt.