Forest preserve initiative offers so much for so little money
DuPage County is blessed with a rich tapestry of forest preserves encompassing more than 25,000 acres. These public lands enrich our quality of life and provide outdoor recreation areas for citizens to relax, unplug, and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of nature. These lands need to be protected, maintained and expanded for present and future generations.
During our current general election, voters will be asked to support the invaluable forest preserves of DuPage County. The forest preserve district is asking for a small tax levy increase to maintain, restore and expand existing forest preserves, to add recreational amenities such as trails and to enhance public access.
Since the pandemic, many forest preserves have nearly doubled their attendance as people continue to discover the many benefits they provide to our lives and our communities.
If supported by the voters on Nov. 5, the forest preserve district will be better able to improve air and water quality, purchase additional land, restore and create more wildlife habitat, improve flood control, expand public safety, and create more places where children can experience and enjoy nature. We need to act now for the benefit of us all.
And we can do it now at a cost for the average homeowner in DuPage County of only about $3 to $4 per month (based on $11.67/$100,000 of assessed market/cash value annually).
We fully endorse this referendum, and we ask that you support our forest preserves on Nov. 5 with a “yes” vote, and that you encourage your friends, neighbors, family members and your network to support it as well.
To learn more about this important ballot measure, visit www.voteYESdupageforest.org, the forest preserve’s website at www.dupageforest.org/referendum2024, or www.facebook.com/DuPageNeighbors.
Steve and Liz Van Arsdell, Naperville
Vote yes for DuPage County forest preserve referendum
One of the most cost-effective methods of protecting our water resources, controlling flooding and reducing traffic congestion is by preserving lands along our creeks, streams and rivers.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has placed a referendum on the Nov. 5 election ballot. If approved, it will allow us to permanently protect an additional 250 acres of our natural areas and watersheds, restore wildlife habitats in our forest preserves, and continue construction of and improvements to trails, recreational areas and other public use facilities.
Our forest preserves not only provide recreational opportunities, they also help ensure a clean water supply and control the effects of flooding.
The forest preserve district has diligently preserved more than 25,000 acres of open space. Had that land been developed, we would have experienced even more high-density development, vastly increased traffic congestion and flooding. Preserving open space now prepares us for the future and will allow stormwater to soak into the ground naturally.
Currently, the forest preserve district receives less than 2% of our overall property tax bills. If this referendum passes, it will still be less than 2%. The $3 to $4 it will cost most homeowners per month is a small price to pay to protect our quality of life and the investment we’ve already made in our homes and communities.
I urge voters to vote “yes” on Nov. 5 to help our forest preserve district acquire more critical open space and keep our water clean in DuPage County.
Connie Schmidt, Warrenville
Co-Chair, DuPage Neighbors for Open Space, Clean Water and Clean Air
DuPage Circuit Judge Barron deserves your vote Nov. 5
I am casting my vote in the upcoming judicial election for current DuPage County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Barron.
Recent events have shown us just how important judicial elections are. We cannot vote for U.S. Supreme Court justices but we can vote for our local judges. I believe it is critical that judges right here be highly qualified, committed to our community and dedicated to representing our community’s values in the courthouse. Judge Barron meets all of these criteria.
First, she is highly qualified. Before being appointed as a judge by a unanimous vote of the bipartisan Illinois Supreme Court, she practiced law for 25 years. She tried many cases in front of juries and argued before the appellate courts and the Illinois Supreme Court. She received the highest available rating from the poll of Illinois State Bar Association members and has distinguished herself writing for legal publications and teaching legal education courses.
Second, she is committed to the community. Judge Barron has lived in Naperville for 25 years. A proud Illinois Prairie School District 204 mom, she twice served as a PTA president and, even though she and her husband are now empty-nesters, she continues to volunteer with the schools, serving as a director on the Indian Prairie Education Foundation Board. She also coached youth soccer teams with Wheatland Athletic Association for many years.
Third, she represents the best of our community’s neighborly values. As a lawyer, she volunteered with Prairie State Legal Services, representing people who could not afford lawyers, and with the nonprofit Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. She has tutored children being held in juvenile detention and mentors many local high school and college students. Additionally, Judge Barron is a board member of DVSA Communities, which provides resources to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Judge Barron has spent her life and career serving our community and we are very fortunate to have her in our courthouse. This is why I am voting for her!
Dianne McGuire, Naperville
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