Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Phone
6302022336
I’ve spent 20+ years working full-time in parks and recreation. I’m a Certified Parks and Recreation Executive, working for the Glen Ellyn Park District. I'm an Illinois Master Naturalist (U of I Extension program), I manage the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation and am the Treasurer of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce.
For nearly 30 years, I’ve been in our community - listening, showing up, and helping turn ideas into action. As an Elmhurst Park District Commissioner, I've helped deliver two new parks, replaced aging playgrounds, planned major new recreational facilities and approved solar projects.
I am an Illinois Association of Park Districts Distinguished Board Member with a strong record of balanced, fiscally responsible budgets.
The Forest Preserve District has done an excellent job with strategic planning, creating and implementing master plans that guide restoration, improvements, access, and long-term stewardship and it is now expanding that work to additional Preserves. The District is also a leader in sustainable operations; for example, the new DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center is a Net Zero facility, and solar arrays now power several District buildings.
One area for improvement is expanding education spaces, programming, and staffing to better connect people to the Preserves. I live in a park desert with few walkable/bikeable green spaces, making outreach and education important to ensure all residents feel connected to and benefit from our Preserves.
Forest Preserve Boards must balance the needs and wants of the community with the health of our natural ecosystems, within available budgeting and staffing resources.
The most pressing issues include protecting and restoring existing preserves, acquiring additional land for preservation, ensuring equitable access, and operating sustainably.
Residents consistently want more land preserved, which is why 63% voted in favor of our referendum.
Land acquisition is expensive and open lands are in short supply, making strategic, timely decisions critical. I support thoughtful, science-based preservation that delivers real ecological and community benefits while managing resources responsibly and transparently.
Habitat preservation and restoration are the foundation of everything the Forest Preserve District does. Without healthy ecosystems, recreational access and amenities cannot be sustained.
I believe preservation, restoration, and recreation are not competing priorities when thoughtfully planned. Recreational access can be designed to protect sensitive habitats, while allowing people to meaningfully experience nature.
Within Preserves, development should be purposeful, limited, and guided by science, while supporting education, recreational activities and stewardship (rather than compromising our natural resources). With careful planning, we can protect fragile landscapes, plants and animals while welcoming visitors into our Preserves.
Choosing a favorite Forest Preserve is like asking a parent to choose a favorite child. So I asked my three children. Two chose Blackwell Preserve for its variety - kayaking, fishing, hiking, and even snow tubing in the winter. My third chose "the one with the trail by the river and the mill," (Fullersburg Woods). If my dog could vote, he'd pick any Preserve - especially the East Branch off-leash dog area.
My favorite right now is Wood Dale Grove in District 1. It's heavily used by nearby residents, including those in high-density housing. On any weekend you'll see families picnicking, hiking, fishing and playing. On my most recent visit, I even witnessed a gender reveal - "It's a boy!" - giving this preserve a special place in my heart.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
