SHANNON BURNS ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR FOREST PRESERVE BOARD in DISTRICT 6

Commitment to environment leads to second bid for Board position

Shannon Burns, of West Chicago, announced this week that she will seek election to the DuPage County Forest Preserve Board in 2012. This position has been represented by Roger Kotecki, who announced last week that he will not seek reelection in 2012.

Burns cited concerns about decisions made by the current Board as her reason for seeking election. "For nearly three years, I have attended weekly Forest Preserve Board meetings. In that time, I have observed the awarding of no-bid contracts, plans to construct a 26,000 square foot maintenance garage in the McKee Marsh section of Blackwell Forest Preserve, and annual increases in the Forest Preserve's share of our property tax dollars," she said. As an advocate for open space, Burns also believes that the District needs to place more emphasis on preserving existing Forest Preserve land.

Burns believes citizen involvement in Forest Preserve spending and management decisions will result in a win-win situation for DuPage County She supports re-focusing on the Mission of the Forest Preserve, while reducing spending and ending no-bid contracts. According to Burns, a balanced budget should not require annual increases in property taxes. And the Board must not forget that their primary job is one of protecting open space for future generations.

DuPage County Forest Preserves are unlike most other Counties in Illinois in that the Forest Preserve management is separate from the County Board. As such, the Forest Preserve Board has no oversight: there is no government or citizen group that monitors the Board's activities. This arrangement presents a special concern for residents of District 6: Over 50% of all DuPage Forest Preserve Land is located there. Consequently, Burns says, "the District 6 Commissioner's role of steward for the land, and watchdog for citizens, is vitally important."

In addition to being a Certified Woodland Steward, Burns has a Masters Degree in Business (MBA) and a Doctorate in Adult Education. She is a small business owner and an active advocate for the environment, volunteering at the Morton Arboretum and for the Sierra Club as a River Water Monitor. Burns is a former Board member of the Wheaton League of Women Voters and a current Board member of the West-Win Home Owner's Association.

During the next 14 months, Burns will work hard to become the District 6 Forest Preserve Commissioner. Once elected, she promises to be a tireless advocate for the people of District 6, and to protect the open space that makes District 6 such a wonderful place.

District 6 is located in the north-western section of DuPage County and encompasses West Chicago, Wayne, Warrenville, Winfield and portions of Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Roselle, and Hanover Park.

Visit her web site: www.electshannonburns.com for more information on her campaign, to donate or to volunteer. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Shannon Burns at shannonburns112@aol.com or 630-779-4893.