Carolyn Ubriaco, a Republican, is running for DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 1 in the Nov. 3 general election. She faces Democrat Susan M. Smentek.
Ubriaco has served as an Elmhurst Park District commissioner since 2003. Asked in our candidate questionnaire why she is seeking the office, Ubriaco said: "This is the kind of work that I have done for over 30 years. It's what I love to do. DuPage has more than 26,000 acres of woods, prairie, wetland, and trail. I will protect and restore our natural areas and acquire land parcels using the grit and leadership skills honed from over 23 years as a park commissioner."
Candidate information
Party: Republican
Education: Ubriaco listed "University of Illinois, Gies College of Business, B.S. Accounting" and "IAPD Leadership Institute" in our questionnaire.
Family: "Married 40 years with 3 children," Ubriaco said in our questionnaire.
Endorsement: DuPage County Republican Central Committee, according to the party's website.
Experience and public service
Asked about previous and current offices, Ubriaco said in our questionnaire: "23+ Year Elmhurst Park District Commissioner, elected 2003, 2009, 2015, 2021." She also listed serving as an "Illinois Association of Park Districts Trustee," a role confirmed by the Elmhurst Park District, and "Illinois Trust, Trustee and Audit Committee Chair."
On her work history, Ubriaco said in our questionnaire: "I work for Christians Against Poverty to provide free one-on-one professional debt coaching and budget education to help anyone escape the misery of debt and transform their lives." She also listed experience as an "Application Development Manager for Sales, Marketing & Customer Service," a "Financial Business Manager for complex high-technology manufacturing," a "Financial Auditor" and an "Independent Frequency and Loyalty Marketing Consultant to the largest cultural arts association in the Chicagoland area."
On the issues
Asked about accomplishments that show she can handle the job, Ubriaco said in our questionnaire: "I led the park board through complex agreements involving the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, the City of Elmhurst and others on issues including critical stormwater mitigation. I helped raise funds for and establish the Playground for Everyone, an accessible playground among the first of its kind in DuPage County. I worked to eliminate the use of glyphosate by the Elmhurst Park District."
She also cited a successful 2024 referendum: "With a vision for the community's unmet and future needs I presented a formal board proposal to start the fact-finding steps and community engagement that led to a successful 2024 referendum and new Wagner Community Center set to open in 2027."
Asked what sets her apart from other candidates, Ubriaco said: "Commissioners statewide elected me to the Illinois Association of Park Districts Board of Trustees to help park, recreation, special recreation, conservation and forest preserve district leaders become better leaders. … I have successfully advocated for, protected and acquired open space against the pressures of development."
