Lake Co. Forest Preserves Referendum: What You Need To Know

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Voters in Lake County will be asked to vote yes, or no, on a referendum question approved by the Lake County Forest Preserves this past summer. If OK'd by voters during this fall's general election, taxpayers will see a higher property tax bill, which will in turn add $155 million in funds to the forest preserves' coffers.

The funds would be used for land acquisition and public access improvements and habitat restoration, according to a news release from the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Lake County Forest Preserves board of commissioners approved the referendum question earlier this summer.

The estimated annual increase on the tax bill for a Lake County resident, who has a home valued at $300,000, would be about $33.

“If approved, the new funding would be used to protect more land and expand the benefits the forest preserves provide to all of us," said Alex Ty Kovach, executive director for the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The new funding would be used to:

• Acquire and restore additional lands to ensure they can be enjoyed by future generations in every part of Lake County.
• Protect and restore wildlife habitat that is home to native plants and animals, some of which are threatened or endangered.
• Build important trail connections.

This year's general election is on Nov. 5 but early voting gets underway this week in Lake County and across the state on Thursday.