A 19-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. For news, construction updates, events and activities for your area, subscribe to receive your Board member's e-newsletter.
View Meeting Calendars
Elected Officials | 2022–2024
Officers of the Board and Executive Office
Executive Director: Alex Ty Kovach
Deputy Treasurer: Steve Neaman |
Secretary: Julie Gragnani
Assistant Secretary: Maureen Shelton |
Meetings | Board of Commissioners
Board meetings are held on the second or third Wednesday of each month, following the day of the County of Lake Board meeting. Meetings are held at our General Offices at 1899 West Winchester Road in Libertyville, unless otherwise posted below.
All of our meetings are open to the public. If you wish to address Board or Committee members you may do so at these meetings. Check the calendar here, the schedule below, or call us at 847-367-6640 to verify meeting information, as times and locations occasionally change.
Need special accommodations? If you have a disability or require certain accommodations in order to observe or attend our meetings, or have questions regarding accessibility of our meeting facilities, please contact our Americans With Disabilities Coordinator, Mary Kann, by email, phone 847-968-3214 or mail: Lake County Forest Preserves, 1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville IL 60048.
Can't make it to a Board meeting? Transparency is important to us, that's why we record our monthly meetings. Meetings can be watched live online through the Zoom link included on each agenda. Links to the recordings of past meetings are posted below.
Committees
Each member of our Board serves on one or more standing committees, and may also be appointed by the president to special committees. These meetings are held monthly at our General Offices at 1899 West Winchester Road in Libertyville, unless otherwise noted.
Standing Committees
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.
Gina Roberts, Chair
Paul Frank, Vice Chair
Michael Danforth
Sandy Hart
Diane Hewitt
Sara Frederick Knizhnik
Ann B. Maine
Considers and makes recommendations concerning the District’s legislative agenda, including preparation and recommendation and periodic reviews and discussions of legislative strategies.
Sandy Hart, Chair
Gina Roberts, Vice Chair
Diane Hewitt
Paras Parekh
Linda Pedersen
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
Mary Ross Cunningham, Vice Chair
Jennifer Clark
Michael Danforth
Sara Frederick Knizhnik
Adam Schlick
John Wasik
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.
Paras Parekh, Chair
Carissa Casbon, Vice Chair
Marah Altenberg
Esiah Campos
J. Kevin Hunter
Linda Pedersen
John Wasik
Learn more »
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.
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.
Paras Parekh, Chair
Paul Frank, Vice Chair
Mary Ross Cunningham
J. Kevin Hunter
Sara Frederick Knizhnik
Ann B. Maine
Gina Roberts
Special Committees
Meets as needed to discuss topics related to diversity and cultural awareness.
Mary Ross Cunningham, Chair
Marah Altenberg, Vice Chair
Carissa Casbon
Gina Roberts
Esiah Campos
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
Linda Pedersen
Gina Roberts
Michael Danforth
Illinois Association of Park Districts
Jennifer Clark, Liaison
Lake Michigan Watershed Ecosystem Partnership
Paul Frank, Representative
Latino Coalition
Esiah Campos, Representative
Board of Directors of the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves
Angelo D. Kyle
John Wasik
Members of the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves
Angelo D. Kyle
Paul Frank
J. Kevin Hunter
Ann B. Maine
Paras Parekh
Linda Pedersen
Jessica Vealitzek
John Wasik
Nels Leutwiler
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Board Liaison
Marah Altenberg, Liaison
Corporate Counsel and Parliamentarian
Matt Norton
Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella
Outside Ethics Advisor
John B. Murphey, Partner
Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier, McGrath Ltd.
Agendas and Minutes
We invite you to attend our public meetings and to actively engage in our order of business.
In advance of our meetings, we post notices and agendas below. Agendas include links to resolutions, ordinances and other supporting documents. In accordance with state law, we also post meeting notices and agendas at our General Offices in Libertyville. Following our meetings, we post minutes and Board meeting videos. Search below for archived meeting documents.
* NOTE: Videos may not open in Safari browser or from some mobile devices or tablets.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Need special accommodations? If you have a disability or require certain accommodations in order to observe or attend our meetings, programs or events, or have questions regarding accessibility of our facilities, please email or call our Americans With Disabilities Act coordinator at 847-968-3214. Learn more »