Tina Tyson-Dunne: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 2

Bio

Office sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner District 2

City: Lombard

Age: 49

Occupation: DuPage County Forest Preserve Board commissioner

Previous offices held: Forest Preserve Commissioner District 2

Q&A

Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

As an incumbent, I am running for re-election to continue the important work we have been doing to protect, preserve, and restore the natural lands entrusted to us. Our forest preserves are vital to the health of our environment, our communities, and our quality of life, and I remain committed to being a strong steward of these public resources.

We have made meaningful progress in expanding access to our preserves while also prioritizing conservation and responsible land management. I want to continue building on that progress by ensuring our lands are protected, restoring critical habitats, and investing in long-term sustainability.

One of my top priorities is continuing to acquire open space whenever possible, so that valuable land is preserved for future generations. These investments not only protect wildlife and natural ecosystems, but also provide recreational, educational, and environmental benefits for residents across our county.

I believe we have a responsibility to balance environmental protection with fiscal responsibility, and I am proud to advocate for policies that conserve our natural resources while using taxpayer dollars wisely.

If you are an incumbent, describe a few important initiatives you’ve led. If you’re not an incumbent, describe a few ways you would contribute to the board.

As an incumbent, I have worked to advance several key initiatives focused on conservation, access, and responsible governance. One of my top priorities has been protecting and restoring critical habitats through investments in native species restoration, invasive species removal, and long-term land stewardship to ensure our preserves remain healthy and resilient. This year our Natural Resources Department have received the largest budget allocation to expand upon this important restoration work.

I have also supported efforts to expand access to our preserves so more residents can enjoy them, including improving trails, enhancing accessibility programs with all-terrain wheelchairs, and adding two accessible canoe and kayak piers. We continue to promote educational and recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities.

Finally, as Board Treasurer, I’ve prioritized fiscal responsibility and transparency by supporting smart budgeting and new public tools which will soon be available like Open Checkbook and Digital Budget Book, making it easier for residents to see how their tax dollars are being used.

What are the forest preserve district’s open space needs, and how should it address them?

Preserving what land remains is becoming both more urgent and more challenging each year. We have several properties we are actively working to acquire, as well as others we continue to monitor, but opportunities are increasingly limited.

Much of the remaining undeveloped land is located in the western part of the county, which creates a significant challenge for the eastern communities I represent. My district includes some of DuPage’s earliest and most densely populated areas, located along two major commuter rail lines. As a result, the few open parcels that remain are smaller, more fragmented, and significantly more expensive than land available elsewhere in the county. One factor we consider when acquiring smaller parcels is whether they are adjacent to existing preserve property, and many opportunities in my district do not meet that criterion.

I have been tracking one particular parcel for several years and working in partnership with other local governments to pursue its preservation, but the cost remains a major obstacle. These challenges highlight the need for creative partnerships, long-term planning, and strategic investment.

What role should the forest preserve play in preserving historic buildings on its land?

Discussions around historic buildings are never a short conversation we have during board meetings. I personally hold a graduate degree in history and want to see the story of DuPage reflected in the work we do throughout the county. If you look at buildings like Kline Creek Farm, Mayslake Peabody Estate, St. James Farm, Danada, and Graue Mill, the Forest Preserve is proud stewards of this history.

The disappointing truth is that previous boards neglected maintenance of these properties which meant that the current commissioners find us having to approve projects to bring buildings up to code. In addition, to ensure that the Forest Preserve is accessible to all, we want to ensure that all buildings comply with ADA guidelines which was not a design feature of many of these buildings. At the same time, like any homeowner knows, you need to be fiscally responsible when it comes to improvements and maintenance. The board weighs the cost-benefit to ensure we are meeting our obligation to the taxpayers in DuPage County while meeting the mission of the Forest Preserve

Describe your position regarding the state of the forest preserve district's budget. What chief threats do you see looming in the future, and how should the district handle them?

Since my election to the board in 2020, I am proud to have been the Treasurer for the Forest Preserve. With a background in finance, and having worked for companies like KPMG, I have a keen eye when it comes to the budgets we publish each year. The fact that anyone can visit the Forest Preserve website and find our budgets, financial reports, and a citizen guide, emphasizes our commitment to transparency.

This year has already seen several hits to our funding. Federal grants have evaporated, especially those in support of endangered species like the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly and Blanding’s Turtles. These conservation programs are vital to ensuring the survival of these species. As we are committed to these programs, finding opportunities to tighten our belts will be the focus in 2026.

The Forest Preserve board is also looking to ensure that we are gaining value for the taxpayer dollars we spend. Ensuring that we have responsible and responsive bidders for contracts guarantees that the work we are doing across the district is of a high standard will mean keeping maintenance charges down.

Name one concrete program you’ll create or personnel move you’ll make to make the forest preserve district more successful. Explain how it will be funded and how you will overcome obstacles to initiating it.

One program I have been discussing with our team to implement a targeted grazing program that uses livestock — such as goats, sheep, or cows — to manage invasive plant species. Clearing invasive plants like buckthorn, honeysuckle, and invasive grasses often requires extensive manual labor, but grazing animals can provide a more sustainable, cost-effective solution. Historically, our prairies benefited from large grazers like bison, which helped maintain healthy ecosystems. While some neighboring forest preserve districts in more rural areas are experimenting with bison, a smaller-scale trial with manageable livestock is a practical next step for us.

This pilot program can include partnerships with local farms who could provide animals and expertise. Challenges such as installing secure fencing, managing public interaction with the animals, and ensuring animal welfare can be addressed through careful planning and collaboration. By starting small, monitoring results, and adapting as we learn, this grazing initiative could become a model program — improving ecosystem health while reducing long-term maintenance costs.