Letter: State Rep. Deb Conroy is Not in Favor of Eliminating DuPage Forest District Board

There has been a lot of discussion and misinformation regarding the pending DuPage County Forest Preserve legislation that has been proposed by State Rep Deb Conroy. Let me make this clear: Rep. Conroy's legislation will not eliminate the Dupage County Forest Preserve.

I have spoken to Rep. Conroy about this issue and she believes that the Dupage County Forest Preserve serves a key role in preserving our beautiful parks here in Dupage County. Her bill (HB 2377) would create a ballot referendum that would put the elimination of the board's compensation and benefits to a vote of the citizens of Dupage County.

There is another bill (HB 2479), proposed by Rep. Dennis Reboletti that would eliminate the Dupage County Forest Preserve Board and pass its responsibilities on to the Dupage County Board.

It is important that we, as a community, understand the difference between the two bills. Rep. Conroy is a supporter of the parks and believes that combining the Dupage County Forest Preserve Board with the Dupage County Board would be detrimental to the state of the Dupage County Forest Preserve. Please assist me in spreading the word and informing our community about this issue.

—Jennifer Ashrafi, Villa Park