DuPage Forest Preserve president's tenure coming to a quiet end

Joseph Cantore's final meeting as president of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County was brief and without fanfare.

It only took three minutes for the district's board of commissioners to breeze through the short agenda for Tuesday's special meeting.

And unlike the DuPage County Board - which presented plaques to departing members during its meeting on Tuesday - the forest preserve didn't include a public send-off for Cantore, who lost his Nov. 6 re-election bid to Democrat Daniel Hebreard.

After the meeting, Cantore left without speaking to a reporter. His only remarks since losing the election were in a written statement released last week.

"During my term as president, we reduced spending, expanded programs and services, and lowered the tax levy by millions of dollars," Cantore's statement reads in part. "Key decisions included restructuring pension eligible earnings to stop pension spiking and eliminating pensions for elected officials.

"I encourage the future leadership of the forest preserve district to continue the upward trajectory of the district and remain committed to the taxpayers of DuPage County," he said.

Several commissioners, meanwhile, said they are focusing on what happens after Hebreard becomes president of the commission.

"We'd like to be working with Joe, but it's a new world," Commissioner Tim Whelan said. "So we'll go forward from here."

Hebreard, who is a senior ranger with the district, is stepping down from that job to become president. The Woodridge resident will bring his years of knowledge about the district to the board room.

Commissioner Mary Lou Wehrli said she's optimistic about what Hebreard will bring to the board.

"I think he has a good character and will be inclusive, knowledgeable and open," Wehrli said. "I think he'll enjoy the new role from a senior ranger to someone overseeing the entire district. That's a whole different mentality and sense of planning and budgeting and human relations. He'll be developing relationships, so I'm optimistic."

Hebreard is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday night.

He said he already has been in contact with the executive director, key staff members and several commissioners.

During the election, Hebreard said he wants to better allocate the district's resources and improve transparency. On Tuesday, he said he plans is to unveil some initiatives in January.

"Am I going to have to get up to speed on a few things? Of course," he said. "But at the same time, I think I know the forest preserve quite well. So the issues that we're going to talk about, obviously, I will be well aware of."

Cantore, who lives in Oak Brook, served on the forest preserve board of commissioners for 12 years before being elected president in 2014.

Commissioner Jeff Redick said he will be remembered for a list of accomplishments, including modernizing the district and pursuing restoration work at the Preserve at Oak Meadows.

"I think Joe's record at the forest preserve is an outstanding one," Redick said. "I think's he's really proud of it. We're better off now than we were when he took office."