Referendum to Support the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

By Connie Schmidt 

We residents of DuPage are very fortunate to have the amazing Forest Preserve District of DuPage. Although as Sierra Club members, many of us are probably out in the preserves on a regular basis, some residents might take them for granted at times. The mission of the Forest Preserve has a clear impact on the superb quality of life we enjoy here in DuPage: “to acquire, preserve, protect and restore natural resources …while providing opportunities for all people to connect with nature.”

In July, the Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage voted unanimously to propose a tax increase referendum on the November 5 election. It would be the for preservation of woodlands, wetlands, and prairies through a myriad of projects and efforts. If approved by voters, the increase to the property tax rate for the Forest Preserve District would be .035% above the current rate. For an average home in DuPage, worth $300K on their tax bill, this change adds up to about $3 per month or $36 per year.

There has been no increase in the tax rate to the Forest Preserve District in DuPage since 2006; however, much has changed in the last 18 years. The visitor rate has grown from 3 million to 5.5 million annually, 30 miles of rivers and streams have been restored, and 600 new acres of land and 30 new miles of trails have been added.

This referendum includes these important efforts:

•             Increased protection of watersheds to improve the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams and protect drinking water sources

•             More reduction of flooding in our communities

•             Improvement of our air quality by planting trees

•             Increased preservation and restoration of wildlife habitat

•             More support for public safety with our Forest Preserve Police initiatives

•             The preservation of over 250 new acres of land.

With land prices skyrocketing and natural lands dwindling we must act now to preserve our last remaining acres for our children and our grandchildren before this land is lost to development. I am grateful that the leaders of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage are bringing this question before voters to determine if an increase in the levy can be made to support our valued resource of  land and water that the Forest Preserve District protects and cares for, in our communities. Check out this brief video here to learn more.