Thank you, Lake County! Nature Wins

A $155 million proposition for capital dollars on the November 5, 2024 ballot passed with overwhelming support! Thanks to Lake County voters, the Forest Preserves has funding to:

• Restore additional habitats.
• Buy and protect more land.
• Build important trail connections.
• Improve water and air quality.
• Reduce flooding.

Preserve the Future Invest in Nature

On November 5, 2024, 67% of Lake County voters approved a Lake County Forest Preserve District capital referendum. The proposition enables the Forest Preserves to issue up to $155 million in debt to fund land acquisition and projects over the next ten years. This additional funding will allow us to build important trail connections, increase access for all, and improve water and air quality while reducing flooding through habitat restoration. We will also acquire more land to create new preserves and expand existing ones, for you and future generations to enjoy.

$65 million to acquire more land to add new preserves, create a wider network of healthy landscapes and add to existing preserves.

$30 million to improve water and air quality and reduce flooding by restoring wetlands, prairies, savannas and forests.

$60 million to build important trail connections, redevelop or open preserves, address maintenance needs and improve energy efficiency.

What it Means The additional property tax on a $300,000 home will be less than $33 a year or $2.75 a month.

Nearly every resident is less than a 10-minute drive from a forest preserve. The places protected by the Forest Preserves are a big part of what makes the quality of life in the county great—for people, and for the thousands of species we share these spaces with.

Fact-Sheet (English) | Hoja informativa (Español)

The following habitat restoration and public access improvement projects are expected to begin in 2025:

• • Complete Phase 1 master plan improvements to Lakewood Forest Preserve ($3.55 M)

• • Planning and engineering ($725,000) for:
  • • Lake Carina bridge and trail to the Des Plaines River Trail
  • • Lake Marie public access improvements and habitat restoration
  • • Raven Glen-Hastings Creek trail crossing
  • • Relocate the General Offices and Dunn Museum
• • Habitat restoration efforts ($1,485,000) at:
  • • Captain Daniel Wright Woods
  • • Dutch Gap
  • • Ethel’s Woods
  • • Gander Mountain
  • • Greenbelt
  • • Lakewood
  • • MacArthur Woods
  • • Ray Lake
  • • Ryerson Conservation Area

• • Various deferred maintenance projects ($750,000)

• • Solar/energy efficiency improvements ($250,000)