Dupage Policy Journal

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's newly elected seven-member Board of Commissioners, all incumbents, took their oaths of office this week and determined the lengths of their terms. Marsha Murphy will continue to represent District 1; Tina Tyson-Dunne, District 2; Linda Painter, District 3; Jeff Gahris, District 4; Barbara O’Meara, District 5; and Al Murphy, District 6. Board president Daniel Hebreard will continue to represent the county at-large.

Legislation establishing staggered terms dictates that the six district seats must be up for re-election simultaneously every ten years. The recent election was one such occasion. Consequently, at the board’s first official meeting on Tuesday, commissioners drew at random their voting districts’ term lengths for the next decade.

Districts 3, 4, and 6 will be up for election in 2024, 2028, and 2032. Meanwhile, Districts 1, 2, and 5 will be up for election in 2026, 2030, and again in 2032. The president serves a four-year term.

“I’m looking forward to working with all of them as we continue to do great things here at the District,” said Forest Preserve District executive director Karie Friling. “We’ve developed a strong foundation in our five-year master plan and we’ll continue to work toward its objectives without delay.”

The Forest Preserve District’s seven-member board meets regularly to address the open-space needs of county residents through ordinances designed to protect natural areas and support general operations in DuPage forest preserves.

Commission meetings are held at 8 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month with planning sessions on the second and fourth Tuesdays at the same time. Citizens can attend these meetings in person at Forest Preserve District headquarters located at 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton or view livestreams on Facebook as well as previously recorded meetings available on dupageforest.org.

A photograph captures President Daniel Hebreard posing with commissioners Al Murphy (District 6), Barbara O’Meara (District 5), Jeff Gahris (District 4), Marsha Murphy (District1), Tina Tyson-Dunne (District2), and Linda Painter (District3).

“We strive to connect all people to nature,” reads a statement from the organization. “We’re committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while providing facilities free from discrimination or harassment.”

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