Daniel Hebreard, the Democratic incumbent for DuPage County Forest Preserve Board president, is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
Hebreard faces Republican Carl Schultz.
Responses below are drawn from the candidate's own campaign materials, the Forest Preserve District's website and BallotReady profile data. Positions attributed to Hebreard reflect his statements unless otherwise noted.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve Board president
- Residence: Woodridge
- Education: High school diploma, Downers Grove North High School (1995); bachelor's degree in parks and recreation management, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (1999); master's degree in business administration, Benedictine University (2007)
- Endorsements: IUOE Local 150, Illinois Sierra Club, United Hellenic Voters of America
Experience and public service
Hebreard has served as forest preserve board president since 2018, according to the district's website and BallotReady. Before winning office, he worked as a senior ranger at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County from 2005 to 2018, according to BallotReady. He also served as a union steward for the Metropolitan Alliance of Police ranger union from 2014 to 2018, Hebreard said on his campaign website.
Earlier in his career, he worked in the Palos Heights recreation department from 1999 to 2002, according to BallotReady.
Hebreard said on his campaign website that in 2018 he was outspent $200,000 to $15,000 but defeated the incumbent, calling himself the first countywide Democrat elected in DuPage County in over 80 years.
On the issues
Fiscal policy and government reform
Hebreard said he passed a $40 million bond issuance without raising taxes. He said he eliminated a contracted "presidential assistant" position when he took office, saving taxpayers $25,000 annually. He estimated the total savings at $100,000 over a four-year term. He also said he refused any extra benefits as president.
Looking ahead, Hebreard said he wants to abolish pensions for current and future commissioners, reduce commissioner salaries by 70% to 75% and remove all health care benefits from current and future commissioners.
Labor and contracting
Hebreard said he completed the first contract for the ranger union in 2017 after winning court battles, ensuring fair conditions and preserving benefits. That was before he took office as president. He said he also passed a responsible bidder ordinance to ensure quality, local labor on Forest Preserve District contracts.
Environment and renewable energy
Hebreard lives in a home powered entirely by solar energy and drives an electric car, according to the district's website.
Hebreard said he wants to bring more solar-powered amenities to the forest preserves and develop trail connections to make it easier for residents to access the preserves.
Voters will choose between Hebreard and Schultz in the general election.
