Lake Co. candidates split of forest preserve

Candidates vying for the open seat in Lake County Board District 1 are steadfastly split on whether Lake County Board members should continue to serve as the governing board for the Lake County Forest Preserve.

Longtime resident Peter Grant, 54, a truck driver, is facing off against Linda Pedersen, 58, a legislative aide for State Rep JoAnn Osmond, on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Both Antioch residents are attempting to take over the board seat from retiring board member Judy Martini, who has been in office for the previous 14 years.

Currently, members elected to serve as county board reps also serve as commissioners on the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

Grant, a Democrat, said he is opposed to changing that dual role right now because of the cost associated with bringing in additional board members to run the forest board.

"At this time, I don't see the need for another layer of administration costs being passed on to the residents of Lake County," he said. "If we can do it in a way where it won't cost additional money, then it'll be fine with me. But for right now, I don't see how that can be done."

Republican Pedersen, on the other hand, believes it's time to split the two boards because the county has grown tremendously, making it tougher than ever to hold both posts.

"With all the other issues members of the Lake County Board has to deal with, it would be beneficial for the two boards to split," she said. "This way, Lake County Board members can focus on the county board, while members of the forest preserve district board can focus on issues specifically for the interest of the forest preserves."

Both said they would be willing to handle both positions if elected to the board on Nov. 4.