Barbara A. O’Meara: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 5
Bio
Office sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 5
City: Naperville
Party: Democrat
Age: 67
Previous offices held: FPDDC District 5
Q&A
Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?
I initially ran for this office to give every environmentalist, ecologist, or biologist a voice on this board. We need scientists who understand the nature of what is happening around us to serve on boards like this so the basic principles of science are not forgotten, dismissed or ignored. Climate change should be a compelling reason for everybody to take action, in their own lives, at their work or as a community. We all see that storms are more damaging, temperatures are climbing, flooding is reaching catastrophic levels and every community and elected board has to anticipate and mitigate these dangers. Protecting what DuPage county has in its forest preserves and preserving for future generations is my main goal.
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 the first science major that was elected to this board I bring a an education and career history that no other board member had offered. I have a deep understanding of what our program managers face out in the field because I've been there and lived it, which makes me a great advocate for their jobs. Supporting staff and making sure we are competitive with salary and benefits is extremely important today so we keep our talented individuals employed here and they aren't all just job-hopping through.
What role should the forest preserve play in preserving historic buildings on its land?
The forest preserve always considers each project, or building on its own merits. A building should not be preserved just because it's old, but those with historical significance that benefit the people of DuPage deserve to be considered. We have to also be aware that having a building sitting empty with no real use is a drain on taxpayer funds. Looking for partnerships with other units of governments or even individuals is an avenue that should always be open. We are here to preserve the forest and natural areas, not to be a landlord or placeholder for empty structures which all cost money. If it aligns with our mission statement and a use can be determined, then we will always consider it.
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?
If you look at the master plan this board has consistently pushed forward on those projects. As we move forward over the next few years we will complete what can be done in the master plan and start creating a new one. All of DuPage can see what has been accomplished and what we will do going forward. In the preserves themselves the staff does a fantastic job of making paths wide enough to be accessible and works on a daily basis to keep them clear and safe. This also includes moving entry points to make it more difficult for someone to break into vehicles while utilizing our preserves. I've worked with staff to move picnic tables closer to certain parking lots so people that aren't as mobile can actually come out and enjoy sitting or a picnic. There are many areas that we consider on every project and accessibility is always brought to the forefront.
What is the most important issue facing the forest preserves in your district and how should it be addressed?
District 5 has some wonderful preserves such as Springbrook Prairie and McDowell Forest Preserve. As with much of DuPage open land to purchase and preserve is disappearing on a daily basis, but when even small pieces come up we do consider these especially when adjacent to an existing preserve. This sis happen at McDowell recently and we were able to add close to 5 acres which otherwise was going to become an asphalt parking lot. The most pressing issue in district 5, as with every district, is maintaining what we already have for the benefit of the people of DuPage. Nationwide the cost of everything is increasing and this is an issue for all communities, boards, and employers trying to do business. We have voted down certain contracts because the cost was just too high. Sometimes its best to wait and other times its best tome forward, we make those kinds of decisions weekly and always try to do what’s best for the people of this county.