DuPage forest director gets new 1-year contract

The executive director of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District will remain on the job for at least another year, but without a pay raise.

Forest preserve commissioners this week approved a new one-year contract with Michael Hullihan, whom they hired last year.

Hullihan's new contract is scheduled to take effect Sept. 1. As part of the pact, his salary will remain $165,000.

"The district team has had a very productive year," Hullihan said in a statement Wednesday.

He said the district is moving forward with major projects, including the renovation of an indoor riding arena at St. James Farm Forest Preserve near Warrenville and construction of a fleet maintenance garage in Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville.

"I am pleased to remain with the district another year and look forward to not only overseeing administrative duties on these projects but also tackling other significant issues," Hullihan said.

The district spent nearly a year looking for an executive director before hiring Hullihan in July 2015. At the time, he was Oak Brook's public works director.

Hullihan replaced Arnie Biondo, who lasted less than eight months on the job before commissioners gave him the option of taking early retirement or being fired. Biondo chose retirement in August 2014 and now is the director of a park district in Ohio.