GOP incumbent facing Democratic challenger in DuPage forest preserve race
A Democrat hoping to represent the southeastern part of DuPage County on the forest preserve commission says he would be an independent voice.
The Republican in the race, meanwhile, says she has a record of getting things done.
Irfan Ibrahim, a Democrat from Hinsdale, is challenging incumbent Republican Linda Painter in the Nov. 6 election. The winner will represent District 3 on the six-member board that oversees the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
Ibrahim says he's seeking the District 3 seat because he believes the GOP-dominated board must revise its priorities.
"You need an independent voice on that board," said Ibrahim, who is a physical therapist. "You need to nudge the board toward new, constructive ideas."
Painter, however, says she's been "passionate" about serving District 3, which covers all or parts of Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Lemont, Naperville, Westmont, Willowbrook and Woodridge.
"As the years go on, I've become more passionate because of all the good things that I have done and what I hope to do in the future," said Painter, a retired pediatric nurse from Willowbrook who has served on the board since 2008.
Painter successfully pushed for the construction of an off-leash dog exercise area that opened earlier this year in Oldfield Oaks Forest Preserve near Darien.
In addition, she worked to get new directional signs in Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve near Darien that are more clear for trail users. Several years ago, she and her neighbors contributed $40,000 to help the district acquire a nine-acre parcel next to the Waterfall Glen.
But Ibrahim says the forest preserve board should be leading the charge on environmental issues.
He started a petition after it was discovered that officials were investigating the Sterigenics company over emissions of a cancer-causing gas. He also worked to oppose plans for a warehouse near Waterfall Glen.
He said he would be "a steward of the environment" if elected to the forest preserve board.
When it comes to district priorities, Ibrahim and Painter differ most on a proposal to rebuild a clubhouse at a golf course in Addison.
District officials could seek bids as soon as January to construct the proposed clubhouse for The Preserve at Oak Meadows - formerly Oak Meadows Golf Course. The project comes after $16.8 million was spent to renovate the 288-acre property.
The new clubhouse is estimated to cost at least $9 million.
If elected, Ibrahim said he would vote against the project, which he calls "lavish" and "unnecessary."
"The board's responsibility is the preservation of public lands," he said. "Why are we trying to get into the business of serving happy hour beers?"
He said the district could find better ways to spend the $9 million, including adding flush toilets at more preserves.
But Painter says the new building will replace a clubhouse that operated for decades on the property until it was destroyed in a 2009 fire. The new 18,000-square-foot clubhouse also would help the course attract golf outings, she said.
"It's a beautiful golf course," she said. "People had weddings and different functions there before the building burned down. They want to see it replaced."