CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Since the start of the pandemic, visits to forest preserves jumped 70%.
The Lake County Forest Preserve District wants to capitalize on that interest by expanding projects and programs, but it can’t do so without additional tax dollars.
The district wants to change state law so that it can ask voters to approve a tax increase to fund future projects.
Officials said a referendum to the Downstate Forest Preserves Act would raise the ceiling of tax rates to pay for general corporate and land development.
Right now forest preserves can ask for more money, but state law wouldn’t allow the tax levy to rise, meaning the district couldn't collect.
Officials told the Daily Herald it can maintain its existing projects, but adding trail connections and making land-banked preserves accessible to the public are on hold until more revenue is available.
State Senator Melinda Bush, a former Lake County Board member and forest preserve commissioner, proposed an amendment to the Downstate Forest Preserves Act to raise the ceiling of tax rates.
If signed into law, the new maximum rates would make it more practical for forest preserves to ask taxpayers for more money through referendums.
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