Carolyn Ubriaco: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 1

Bio

Office sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 1

City: Elmhurst

Party: Republican

Age: 65

Previous offices held: Elmhurst Park District Commissioner

Q&A

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

For over 23 years as an Elmhurst Park District commissioner my top priority has always been protecting taxpayer-owned land against the pressures of development. Voters have elected me four times because they know that while they are working hard caring for themselves and their families they can trust me to represent their best interests, use taxpayer money wisely and protect the one thing that money often cannot buy in land-locked communities, i.e., land.

DuPage’s natural open spaces are among our most precious resources. It’s where people go to enjoy nature, forget the busyness of the built environment and make memories with friends and family. Forest preserve wetlands and natural areas ease neighborhood flooding by treating water as a native habitat resource to clean air and water and beautify our world. It is my demonstrated personal mission to connect people to nature and advance accessibility for all ages and abilities.

As a community leader, I’ve had the privilege of shepherding residents’ needs, wants and ideas from vision to completed projects that improve quality of life and I will do the same as your DuPage Forest Preserve District Commissioner.

If you are an incumbent, describe your two biggest contributions to the board. If you are a non-incumbent, describe two ways you would contribute to the board.

I have hands-on experience leading complex stormwater projects requiring extensive intergovernmental and agency cooperation with national, state and local agencies involving both traditional infrastructure and naturalized stormwater approaches. I understand how treating water as a resource makes life better for people and our environment.

I have over 23 years of experience identifying, acquiring, environmentally restoring, developing and protecting public land. I understand land valuation and negotiation from the public and sellers’ view. I can cite actual agreements that protected and benefitted the community and the taxpayer.

I am sought as a subject matter expert on leadership and governance. I help elected leaders provide the best to their communities with transparency, accountability and openness to consider new ideas. I don’t just speak on these issues, I live them. I was elected by park district voters 4 times and by Illinois park, recreation, special recreation, conservation & forest preserve district commissioners to a second term on the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Board of Trustees. I serve as Audit Committee Chair and Trustee of the Illinois Trust.

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

Adaptive re-use of existing and historic buildings can be an environmentally sound cost-effective way to foster engagement with nature and educate future generations about DuPage's past. As an Elmhurst Park District Commissioner, I worked on adaptive re-use of the historic 1868 Wilder Mansion with enthusiastic community support.

Historic buildings now serve important roles for district uses as public venues and classrooms that draw people onto the preserve and serve as interpretive sites showing how people used the land in the past, e.g., Kline Creek farm and Graue Mill. Cost sharing with private funding helps ensure financial resources for habitat restoration work is not compromised.

I support adaptive reuse of historic buildings under such circumstances. Unused structures should be evaluated for historical significance, and the public should be consulted before taking final action. Vacant structures with serious structural integrity issues, high maintenance and restoration costs are a better match for private ownership.

How would you rate the job the commission is doing to develop existing forest preserves and make them accessible to residents? How would you approach things differently?

The forest preserve district is a well-run agency with plans that are rooted in community feedback, environmental stewardship and within statutory spending limits. The district has done disciplined restoration work eradicating invasive plant species and establishing native plant and animal species which are the backbone of ecosystem health.

District 1 residents have frequently told me that they need and want safe access to forest preserves that don’t involve a car and dangerous busy roadways. Safe trails and crossings need to be extended and updated for recreation, transportation to work and those using assistive mobility devices.

Many eastern District 1 residents are unfamiliar with the district’s role protecting open space, growing native habitat and recreational opportunities. Collaboration with park and special recreation districts, libraries, schools and municipalities would promote access through targeted education, outreach and volunteer programs where people live to expand access for everyone including the disability community without raising taxes.

What is the most important issue facing the forest preserves in your district and how should it be addressed?

District 1 communities struggle with flooding where traditional infrastructure funding is stretched thinly and stormwater causes costly damage and disruption to neighborhoods. Through naturalized stormwater partnerships with government, public and institutional landowners, the district can help communities cost-effectively manage flooding and grow a safer, healthier, more beautiful ecosystem in District 1.

Together we can treat water as a resource for flora and fauna and help move problem stormwater out of neighborhoods while contributing beneficial native habitat for pollinators, birds and wildlife for cleaner water, air and beautifying natural areas for community enjoyment.

Stormwater is notoriously polluted with fertilizer and chemical contaminants. When runoff is directed into naturalized stormwater areas contaminants are removed naturally by deep-rooted native plants. Prairie grasses, sedges, and wildflowers act as living infrastructure as their roots hold soil, recharge groundwater, and filter pollutants before they reach Salt Creek, the East and West Branches of the DuPage River and helps prevent neighborhood and downstream flooding.