Daniel Hebreard, the incumbent president of the DuPage County Forest Preserve Board, is running for reelection on the Democratic ticket in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
Hebreard faces Republican Carl Schultz in the race. The Forest Preserve Board president oversees a district that manages open space and nature preserves across DuPage County, including preserves accessible to Hinsdale residents.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Residence: Woodridge
- Family: Wife, Donna; two children
- Education: High school diploma, Downers Grove North High School (1995); bachelor's degree in parks and recreation management, University of Illinois at 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 is a lifelong DuPage County resident. He and his wife live in Woodridge in a home powered entirely by solar energy, and he drives an electric car, according to the district's board page.
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 at the district from 2014 to 2018, according to his campaign.
Hebreard has served as board president since 2018. He said on his campaign website that he was outspent $200,000 to $15,000 in that first race but defeated the incumbent, becoming what he described as the first countywide Democrat elected in DuPage County in more than 80 years.
Before joining the Forest Preserve District, Hebreard worked in the recreation department for Palos Heights from 1999 to 2002.
On the issues
Government reform and fiscal policy
Hebreard said he eliminated a contracted "presidential assistant" position when he took office, saving taxpayers $25,000 annually. He said he also refused extra benefits as president.
He has proposed abolishing pensions for current and future commissioners, reducing commissioner salaries by 70% to 75% and removing all health care benefits for current and future commissioners, according to his responses on BallotReady.
Hebreard said he passed a $40 million bond issuance without raising taxes.
Labor
Hebreard said he completed the first contract for the ranger union in 2017 after winning court battles, ensuring fair conditions and preserving benefits. He also said he passed a responsible bidder ordinance to ensure quality, local labor on district contracts.
Environment and renewable energy
Hebreard said he wants to bring more solar-powered amenities to the forest preserves. He also said he plans to develop trail connections to improve resident access.
Candidate responses were gathered from the candidate's campaign website, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County board page and BallotReady. Policy positions and claims about the candidate's record are attributed to the candidate unless otherwise noted.
