House lawmakers took a first step Thursday toward giving collar county residents the ability to split the forest preserve board from the county board.
Fueled by a dispute over putting garbage dumps in forest preserves, the latest attempt to split the two bodies in Du Page, Kane, Lake and Will Counties would allow residents to call a referendum on the matter. In Du Page, the same people have served on both boards since 1915.
”People are telling us they want it separated,” said Rep. Suzanne Deuchler (R-Aurora), a sponsor. ”They want environmental people elected who are solely interested in this job, and who want to enhance quality of life and provide these natural, open spaces.”
The referendum could be called by the forest preserve board, or by a citizen petition drive. The House will vote on the measure within the next week.
