Daniel Hebreard, the incumbent president of the DuPage County Forest Preserve Board, is running for reelection on the Democratic ticket in the Nov. 3 general election. He faces Republican Carl Schultz.
Hebreard, a lifelong DuPage County resident who lives in Woodridge with his wife, Donna, and their two children, has held the presidency since 2018. Before entering elected office, he worked as a senior ranger with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, according to BallotReady. The president leads a board that oversees open space, trails and natural areas across DuPage County.
Hebreard said on his campaign website that in 2018 he was outspent $200,000 to $15,000 but "outworked his incumbent opponent to become the first county-wide Democrat elected in DuPage County in over 80 years."
Candidate responses below are drawn from Hebreard's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire answers. Positions are the candidate's own claims unless otherwise noted.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Residence: Woodridge
- Education: High school diploma, Downers Grove North High School (1995); bachelor's degree in parks and recreation management, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (1999); master's degree in business administration, Benedictine University (2007)
- Family: Wife, Donna; two children
- Endorsements: IUOE Local 150, Illinois Sierra Club, United Hellenic Voters of America
Experience and public service
- Recreation department, City of Palos Heights (1999–2002)
- Senior ranger, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (2005–2018)
- Union steward, Metropolitan Alliance of Police ranger union, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (2014–2018)
- President, DuPage County Forest Preserve Board (2018–present)
On the issues
Government reform and fiscal policy
Hebreard said he eliminated a contracted "political insider" presidential assistant position when he took office, saving taxpayers $25,000 a year and $100,000 over a four-year term. He said he also refused extra benefits as president.
He has called for abolishing pensions for current and future commissioners, reducing commissioner salaries by 70% to 75% and removing health care benefits for current and future commissioners. Taken together, those proposals would reshape how the board compensates its elected members.
Hebreard said the district passed a $40 million bond issuance without raising taxes.
Labor and contracting
Hebreard said that in 2017, while serving as union steward, he completed the first contract for the ranger union after winning court battles, ensuring fair conditions and preserving benefits. He said the board also passed a responsible bidder ordinance to ensure quality, local labor on Forest Preserve District contracts.
Environment and renewable energy
Hebreard lives in a home powered entirely by solar energy and drives an electric car, according to the Forest Preserve District's board page. He said he wants to bring more solar-powered amenities to the forest preserves and develop trail connections that make it easier for residents to access the preserves.
The general election is Nov. 3.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
