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

Bio

Office sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 2

City: Lombard

Party: Democrat

Age: 49

Previous offices held: Current District 2 Commissioner

Q&A

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

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 your two biggest contributions to the board. If you are a non-incumbent, describe two 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 like an Open Checkbook and Digital Budget Book, making it easier for residents to see how their tax dollars are being used.

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.

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?

I see meaningful progress in the District’s work to make the preserves more accessible, particularly through the 2022 Recreational Accessibility Plan and the addition of a dedicated accessibility coordinator. The goal should go beyond minimum ADA compliance: residents should feel welcomed, know what opportunities are available, and be able to actively participate. The District already offers adaptive equipment, accessible programs and accommodations, but its own plan identified communication and awareness as major barriers.

My approach would be to build on that work rather than start over. Regular meetings with disability advocacy organizations, recreation providers, families, and individual visitors to hear directly what is working and where barriers remain. I would also focus on communicating what is already available so residents can more easily take advantage of them. Continued staff and volunteer training, outreach and collaboration, with regular progress updates and feedback from users will ensure success. Accessibility should be viewed not simply as compliance, but as an ongoing commitment to inclusion, participation and belonging.

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

The most important issue facing the forest preserves is climate change. Increased precipitation, more frequent and severe storms, and rising temperatures will affect ecosystems, trails, facilities and communities. The District must prepare for these changes while protecting its core mission of preserving, restoring and connecting residents with nature.

The District is leading by example. The DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center is the District’s first net-zero-designed building, using renewable energy and geothermal systems to produce as much energy as it consumes. The Danada Headquarters solar array will provide about 110% of headquarters’ energy needs and prevent an estimated 403 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. 83% of its upfront cost is being reimbursed through federal and state incentives, limiting the cost to taxpayers.

I would support continued investment in renewable energy, stormwater management, habitat restoration and climate-resilient infrastructure, while aggressively pursuing grants, incentives and private contributions. We should plan for the environment we are moving toward, not the one we had decades ago, so the preserves remain healthy for generations.