Today the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s board of commissioners voted to place a referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot. If approved by voters, it would increase the property tax rate for the Forest Preserve District by an additional 0.0350% above the limiting rate.

Since 2006 when DuPage voters last approved a Forest Preserve District referendum, the annual visitor count, which remained steady at 3 million until 2020, grew to its present-day 5.5 million (an 83% increase). During that time, for every dollar a property owner pays in real estate tax, the portion going to the Forest Preserve District has dropped from 2.3 cents per dollar to 1.5 cents per dollar. If passed, the portion of each tax dollar received by the Forest Preserve District would still be less than 2 cents for every dollar.

In addition to more visitors, the Forest Preserve District now has more holdings to protect than ever before. Since 2006, the Forest Preserve District grew by more than 600 acres of open space, added 30 miles of trails, restored 8,500 acres of land, and restored 30 miles of rivers and streams.

For a DuPage County property owner, this change would translate to an estimated additional tax of $11.67 per $100,000 of home value for the 2024 levy year.

The increase would provide the Forest Preserve District with essential funding to:

• Preserve, restore, and maintain forests, open spaces, and water quality.
• Acquire lands to protect rivers, watersheds, and wildlife habitats.
• Plant trees and enhance flood control and drainage systems.
• Maintain and improve woodlands, wetlands, and prairies.
• Provide nature education and outdoor opportunities for all ages.
• Increase access and safety in forest preserves.
• Improve recreational amenities like multiuse trails and campgrounds.

Per state law, the Forest Preserve District cannot increase the tax levy over the limiting rate without voter approval. For further information on the referendum, visit dupageforest.org/referendum2024.