4 candidates run for 2 Winnebago Co. Forest Preserve Board seats, address potential data center
Candidates for two Winnebago County Forest Preserve Board seats discussed how they would respond to proposed data center development near Chicago Rockford International Airport. Several candidates raised concerns about impacts on protected natural areas, waterways, water and electricity use, noise and light pollution, while one candidate said decisions should be based on project-specific evidence.
The race for two six-year seats on the Winnebago County Forest Preserve Board features incumbents Jeff Tilly and Cheryl Maggio against challengers Eric Johnson and George Kallstrom. The seven-member board oversees 45 preserves and more than 11,000 acres across the county.
The election has been shaped in part by proposed data center development near Chicago Rockford International Airport. Tilly and Maggio expressed opposition or strong concern over potential effects on nearby protected land and waterways, including water and electricity consumption, noise and light pollution. Johnson said the board should advocate for the preserves without automatically acting as an adversary to development, while Kallstrom said commissioners should review a project's resource use and environmental effects before deciding whether it is appropriate.