Waukegan Mayor Joins Great Lakes Delegation in Washington Pitch

Mayors and officials advocate for water resources funding, tariff relief, and economic development projects

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham was part of a delegation of 24 municipal leaders from the U.S. and Canada who traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to meet with White House officials and members of Congress. The group, representing the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, discussed the importance of fresh water resources, economic stability, and renewal of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides financing for water infrastructure projects like lead service line replacement.

Why it matters

The Great Lakes region is home to a massive economy, with the third-largest GDP in the world. Protecting the region's vital freshwater resources and promoting economic development are crucial priorities for local leaders. The delegation's visit aimed to secure federal support and funding for these efforts, which impact millions of residents on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.

The details

During their three-day visit, the mayors and officials met with White House staff and over 20 members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider. They advocated for renewal of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides low-cost financing for water infrastructure projects. The group also discussed the establishment of the Fresh Coast Economic Corridor, a 10-year plan to bring 500,000 new businesses and over 18 million jobs to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region. Tariff stability between the U.S. and Canada was another key issue, with the delegation seeking no further tariffs until the review of the USMCA trade agreement is complete.

  • The delegation visited Washington, D.C. last week (March 3-5, 2026).
  • The Clean Water State Revolving Fund is up for renewal.

The players

Sam Cunningham

The mayor of Waukegan, Illinois, who was part of the delegation to Washington.

Marcus Muhammad

The mayor of Benton Harbor, Michigan, who also spoke to members of Congress about the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

Jonathan Altenberg

The president and CEO of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, which organized the delegation's visit.

Cavalier Johnson

The mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who spoke about the economic importance of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Paul Ainslie

The deputy mayor of Toronto, Canada, who discussed concerns about tariffs and trade stability.

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What they’re saying

“We had an excellent reception. More important was how both sides of the aisle were talking about the Great Lakes Initiative's projects to the president's (staff) and to Congress. They are champions when it comes to issues about the Great Lakes.”

— Sam Cunningham, Mayor of Waukegan, Illinois (Chicago Tribune)

“We want to protect our water and grow our economy. We want to maintain our quality of life, grow our economy rapidly, and reduce our carbon footprint. Our region has the world's third-largest economy.”

— Jonathan Altenberg, President and CEO, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (Chicago Tribune)

“The USMCA review should be working to create new supply chains, not create new uncertainty. When tariffs rise, costs rise and investment pauses. When investment pauses, jobs and competitiveness are put at risk all across our communities. This is why stability matters.”

— Paul Ainslie, Deputy Mayor of Toronto, Canada (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The delegation will continue to advocate for renewal of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and stability in U.S.-Canada trade relations as the USMCA review process continues.

The takeaway

The visit by the Great Lakes delegation to Washington highlights the bipartisan importance of protecting the region's vital freshwater resources and promoting sustainable economic development. Local leaders are working to secure federal support and funding for these efforts, which are crucial for the long-term prosperity of communities on both sides of the border.