Law gives forest preserve presidents too much power
On June 11, Lake County Forest Preserve President Angelo Kyle unilaterally canceled the 27-year tradition of Civil War Days hosted at the Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda, originally scheduled to take place mid-July.
Kyle's decision was made without input from, nor notification to the rest of the Forest Preserve board members.
President Kyle's actions deprived not just the board's ability to research, comment and debate on the topic, but the public's ability to have their voice heard on the issue as well.
President Kyle may very well have valid objection to the event. He may have a valid perspective into the events of the Civil War. While a lover of history, I am no historian, so I must rely on the teachings and writings of those who have studied this history before me.
Wauconda Mayor Lincoln Knight slammed the decision by Kyle due to the huge economic loss to the businesses of Wauconda and surrounding area who cater to the 4,000-plus volunteers, participants and spectators who flock to the event every year.
I strongly believe the board and the taxpayers should have had this discussion, where the perspectives of all could have been displayed in public, followed by a transparent, productive and intellectual debate of the concerns of all board members representing their respective constituents.
It is not my intention to hash out the debate on the merits or flaws of Civil War Days (that debate should be left to those far more knowledgeable than me), but to call attention to something far more problematic to me: exactly how much power does a president of any forest preserve have according to the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act?
Even the forest preserve's own attorney and executive director appeared at least a little unclear of the president's authority to cancel such an event on their own.
One thing, however, is very clear: unbeknownst to me, the staff of the forest preserve does not serve at the pleasure of the board; it serves solely at the pleasure of the forest preserve president.
This fact alone means that the president of the Lake County Forest Preserve District, who is not elected to that position by the residents of the county, has more single authority and power than any head of any board in Lake County, including the chair of the Lake County Board.
The law gives a president of the forest preserve the power to act on his or her own, without board approval. This may include the hiring and firing of staff. The president also has enormous veto powers that could serve to advance the interests of only one person not popularly elected to the position.
I believe it to be in the interest of the taxpayers for our state legislators to review the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act and make what I believe are necessary changes that promote a more transparent and accountable government that the taxpayers deserve.
A special meeting to discuss the future of Civil War Days has been scheduled for Aug. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Forest Preserve Building, 1899 W Winchester Road in Libertyville. The public is invited to attend. There will be an opportunity for public comment, limited to three minutes per speaker, at the beginning of the meeting.
Dick Barr, of Round Lake Beach, is a Lake County Board member representing the 3rd District of Lake County, and Commissioner of the Lake County Forest Preserve District.