It’s Our Fox River Day 2024 demonstrated that protecting our local natural resources is important to many of us, regardless of our political, religious, or cultural affiliations. On November 5th, many Americans will head to the polls with strong connections to a certain political party and possibly with influence by their individual religious and/or cultural beliefs. But even then and there, we can unite and vote YES for our county’s conservation referendum. Together, we keep on fixing the Fox.
Vote YES for to support Watershed Protection
Kane, McHenry, Lake, and DuPage counties all have similar referendums for their respective Forest Preserve or Conservation Districts. All have much in common: they are requesting a slight and temporary tax increase to secure the necessary funds for growing operational expenses.
Voting Yes is the Norm
Historical research has consistently demonstrated that residents of the Fox River Watershed highly value the publicly held open space properties and their recreational opportunities. Many would say that folks come to this valley predominantly for that reason. Current psychological research is heralding the mental health benefits of exposure to experiences in natural settings. Nearly all public referendums to acquire open space properties (including those in agricultural production) by all of these county districts have been overwhelmingly in favor.
The YES vote is the norm.
Vote YES for Humans and Wildlife
All the support and enthusiasm for acquiring, protecting, and restoring natural lands is not new.
In 1913, the Illinois Legislature enacted the Forest Preserve District Act. After adoption of the Act by voters in Cook County, the Chicago metropolitan area became among the first in the USA to establish a park system with an outer ring of nature preserves. Since then, Cook County had the foresight to aggressively expand their holdings and has very successfully managed them for the natural and recreational benefit of county residents, both human and wildlife. It has been viewed as an international model. As the suburbs grew, the trend continued into the collar counties. Due to relatively recent glacial activity, northeastern Illinois has an exceptional diversity of habitats and the healthy ecosystems associated with them.
Funding for the Future
Any gardener and land manager will tell you that a plan and maintenance are essential for achieving one’s objectives. That is the foundation for this ask. Much land has been acquired and preserved, but the management ability is lagging behind. Being understaffed and under equipped is a risk that is being realized and addressed with this referendum. This referendum is authorizing an increase to the limiting rate for the district. Funds would be used to:
- Preserve and maintain forests and natural lands
- Acquire additional lands from willing sellers
- Plant trees
- Protect rivers and watersheds
- Protect and improve wildlife habitat
- Enhance flood control and drainage
- Maintain and improve forest preserve woodlands, wetlands and prairies
- Provide nature education for all ages
- Increase forest preserve access and safety
- Improve recreational amenities such as hiking and biking trails, camping and fishing and other forest preserve purposes
Vote YES to adequately protect our county-held natural resources and provide safe and sought-after recreational opportunities. The average impact upon each $100,000 of access value of a home would be $10 annually: a very small fee for the benefit. This is an opportunity to take an active role in guaranteeing the protection and development of our county parks.
To learn more about the specifics for each county, click on the name: