O'Meara leads Farmer in DuPage forest preserve District 5 race

Barbara O'Meara, the Democratic incumbent, leads Republican challenger Michael Farmer by more than 7,500 votes in the DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 5 race. O'Meara has 12,815 votes, or 70.9%, to Farmer's 5,267 votes, or 29.1%, with 18,082 votes counted, according to unofficial results from the DuPage County Clerk. The count is not complete.

What was at stake

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is governed by a seven-member board of commissioners. DuPage County has six districts, and voters elect one commissioner from the district where they live. The seventh member, the president, is elected countywide, according to the district's website.

The board oversees roughly 26,000 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands and waterways across 60 forest preserves. Commissioners approved a $151 million budget for 2026, a 5% increase over the prior year. Of that total, $69.6 million supports capital projects. Budget priorities include habitat restoration at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville and land acquisition to expand open space countywide.

The key issues:

• O'Meara has focused on conservation, renewable energy in the preserves and building habitat corridors for native wildlife. Farmer has focused on preserving forest land for future generations, expanding educational and recreational opportunities and improving safety at preserve access points.
• The board faces capital spending decisions on several major projects, including course improvements at Maple Meadows Golf Preserve and restoration work at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook.

Naperville residents who use Springbrook Prairie and other nearby preserves will see the outcome shape how the district balances capital investment with day-to-day operations.

A little history

O'Meara was first elected to the District 5 seat in November 2020. She lives in Naperville and has a 30-year career as a licensed environmental health practitioner with the state of Illinois. She is also an adjunct biology professor at Waubonsee Community College and a Naperville Public Library District board member, according to the district's website.

Farmer recently retired after a 37-year career in the logistics industry, according to Metea Media.

What's next

The results remain unofficial until the DuPage County Clerk completes the canvass. Mail ballots and provisional ballots may still be counted.

Election results: DuPage County Forest Preserve Board - District 5 (Illinois General Election, 2026-11-03)

Source: DuPage County Clerk. Results current as of Nov. 3, 2026, 8:52 p.m. CST. Reporting: 0 of 96. Unofficial results; the count is not complete.