Board of Commissioners
A 21-member elected Board of Commissioners governs your Lake County Forest Preserves. They guide the agency's mission and approve all land acquisitions, restoration and improvement projects, educational and cultural programs, the annual budget and other administrative actions. View Board member compensation. These same officials also serve as County Board members, overseeing all other aspects of Lake County government.
Integrity | Accountability
Each elected member of our Board is committed to being open, transparent and accountable for their actions as they govern and make decisions on behalf of their constituents and for the sustainability of the Lake County Forest Preserves. They lead with integrity and professionalism as public servants to you and the land. If you have any questions about actions or decisions made by Board members, or if you would like to invite a member to speak to your community group, school or other organization, please contact them directly.
View Meeting Calendars
View Meeting Info, Agendas and Minutes
Committees
Each member of our Board serves on one or more standing committees, and may also be appointed by the president to special committees.
Standing Committees
Finance
Supervises all financial affairs and policies of the District, including bond issues; applications for grants; preparation of budgets, appropriations and tax levies; wage and job classification policies; compensation and benefit program; revisions to personnel policies; collective bargaining; insurance and safety; user fees; facility license and concession agreements; and encroachments. The committee also reviews fundraising strategies. The committee may not commit funds or incur liabilities except as approved or authorized by the Board.
Terry Wilke, Chair
Paul Frank, Vice Chair
Steve Carlson
Michael Danforth
Sandy Hart
Ann B. Maine
Judy Martini
Julie Simpson
John Wasik
Legislative
Considers and makes recommendations concerning the District’s legislative agenda, including preparation and recommendation and periodic reviews and discussions of legislative strategies.
Adam R. Didech, Chair
Jennifer Clark, Vice Chair
Dick Barr
Linda Pedersen
S. Michael Rummel
Julie Simpson
Jessica Vealitzek
Operations
Reviews and makes recommendations concerning operational affairs and policies of the District, including all general regulations pertaining to the operation, maintenance, programming and promotion of all District properties; the use of District facilities, programs and services; and the conservation of District lands, waters, flora and fauna.
Jessica Vealitzek, Chair
Bill Durkin, Vice Chair
Mary Ross Cunningham
Ann B. Maine
Brent Paxton
Craig Taylor
Terry Wilke
Planning
Studies and reviews potential land acquisition sites, and, where appropriate, obtains appraisals, surveys, environmental reports, title reports, and other acquisition information; recommends acquisition of sites to the Board; reviews, provides direction to staff regarding, and recommending approval of any agreement proposed by an owner of property adjacent to the District's property.
Sends any plan or use that would (i) have a significant impact on District land or other District plans or uses, or (ii) involve a new use of such land, to all standing committees so that they have an opportunity, within a 120-day time period, to review the potential impacts. If the committee votes to recommend the approval of such plan or use after review has been provided, the plan or use will be implemented only after it has been prioritized and funded as part of the annual budget policies review, budget ordinance, and appropriation ordinance process.
John Wasik, Chair
Julie Simpson, Vice Chair
Dick Barr
Jennifer Clark
Adam Didech
Diane Hewitt
Judy Martini
Linda Pedersen
Jessica Vealitzek
Rules
Considers all proposed new rules and amendments to the Board's Rules of Order and Operational Procedure, and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for adoption.
Bill Durkin, Chair
Terry Wilke, Vice Chair
Jennifer Clark
Mary Ross Cunningham
Adam R. Didech
Judy Martini
Craig Taylor
Jessica Vealitzek
John Wasik
Special Committees
Diversity and Cultural Awareness
Meets as needed to discuss topics related to diversity and cultural awareness.
Julie Simpson, Chair
Mary Ross Cunningham, Vice Chair
Jennifer Clark
Adam R. Didech
Jessica Vealitzek
Ethics
Meets as needed to review the existing ordinance regulating ethical conduct and political activity by elected officials and employees, and recommends revisions to the Board of Commissioners.
Jennifer Clark, Chair
Paul Frank, Vice Chair
Bill Durkin
Judy Martini
Jessica Vealitzek
Outside Board Members and Liaisons
Illinois Association of Park Districts
Judy Martini, Liaison
Lake Michigan Watershed Ecosystem Partnership
Paul Frank, Representative
Latino Coalition
Mary Ross Cunningham, Representative
Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Directors
Paul Frank
S. Michael Rummel
Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves Members
Angelo D. Kyle
Adam R. Didech
Bill Durkin
Paul Frank
John Wasik
Terry Wilke
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Board Liaison
Jessica Vealitzek
Legal Appointments
Corporate Counsel and Parliamentarian
Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella
Outside Ethics Advisor
John B. Murphey, Partner
Rosenthal, Murphey, Coblentz & Donahue
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1624
Chicago, IL 60602
312-541-1070
jmurphey@rmcj.com
