Carl Schultz, a Republican from Naperville, is running for president of the DuPage County Forest Preserve Board in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democrat Daniel Hebreard.

Asked in our candidate questionnaire why he is seeking the office, Schultz said: "My belief is that our forest preserves are a gift we pass on from one generation to the next. We should enjoy what we have been given and work hard to pass along something better than we received."

He added: "My campaign is about protecting our natural legacy, making our forest preserves truly accessible for every family, and delivering responsible stewardship you can trust."

Candidate information

Party: Republican

Education: Schultz said in our questionnaire: "Naperville Central High School" and "Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from the University of Illinois."

Family: Schultz said in our questionnaire: "Wife: Caryn" and "Children: Rowan and Allison." He added: "My Grandfather was the farm advisor in DuPage County for the University of Illinois Extension Service."

Occupation: Schultz said in our questionnaire: "Owner/horticulturist of Horticultural Consultants. Connecting people with nature is my life's work. Forest Preserve Commissioner, serving for 10 years. During that time, I was Deputy Treasurer and then Treasurer. I started a non-profit for the District, raising over $3 million."

Experience and public service

Schultz said he previously served as "Elected Forest Preserve Commissioner for Forest Preserve District of DuPage County" and "Appointed Township Trustee for Naperville Township." BallotReady profile data lists his commissioner service in District 5 from 2002 to 2012. He has owned Horticultural Consultants since 1986, according to BallotReady. A Forest Preserve District resolution lists him as a director of the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County as of April 2025.

Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Schultz said in our questionnaire: "As Commissioner, I added over 1450 acres of land, improved natural resources (6 Nature Preserves and 2 Land and Water Preserves designations), added trails, Urban Stream Research Center, archery range, dog park, picnic shelter and more. I started a non-profit that supports the District mission. I raised public interest in the historic Greene Barn and completed the first phase of restoration and stabilization."

On the issues

Asked about the critical differences between himself and other candidates, Schultz said in our questionnaire: "There are two differences between me and the current President. How we deal with the taxpayers dollars and how we oversee projects."

He pointed to spending, saying the current president "has raised the Budget by 70% in 7 years but only added about 85 acres. As Commissioner, I added over 1,450 acres." Schultz also cited project management concerns: "I led the way to restore and stabilize the Greene Barn on time and under budget. He had a no-bid guaranteed not to exceed $25.5 million contract for Willowbrook Wildlife Center that ended up costing over $30 million and an astonishing 20 months late."

He added: "I concentrate on connecting people with nature. He is building over 140,000 sq ft (3.2 acres under roof) of buildings the people will never even walk in."

Asked about the best advice he ever received, Schultz quoted his grandfather: "Pennies grow to dollars and seeds grow to trees."

Schultz's responses come from the Hinsdale Journal's candidate questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.