Susan M. Smentek, a Democrat and Elmhurst Park District commissioner, is running for DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 1 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Republican Carolyn Ubriaco.

Asked why she is running, Smentek said in our candidate questionnaire: "I'm running because I want every resident—families, children, seniors, all of us—to have access to DuPage's extraordinary green spaces and the chance to make memories and share experiences there. I live in the older, more built-up eastern part of the county, where residents have less access to public green space, so protecting additional land and improving trail connections are especially important to me."

Candidate information

Party: Democratic

Home: Elmhurst

Family: "I live in Elmhurst with my husband, a professional musician and member of the Chicago Federation of Musicians. We have three children pursuing postgraduate, undergraduate, and high school studies, along with our beloved dog, Tucker."

Education: Smentek said she holds a "B.S. in Speech, with a concentration in Radio/TV/Film, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois" and a "M.A. in Music, Vocal Pedagogy, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois." She said she is also a Certified Park and Recreation Executive and a certified Illinois Master Naturalist through University of Illinois Extension.

Experience and public service

Occupation and work history: "I have more than 20 years of experience in parks and recreation and am a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE). I currently serve as Sponsorship and Downtown Park Events Manager for the Glen Ellyn Park District and Managing Director of the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation. Previously, I was Cultural Arts Program Manager for the Elmhurst Park District and Cultural Arts Program Supervisor and Sponsorship Coordinator for the Morton Grove Park District."

Elected office: "I currently serve as an elected Commissioner of the Elmhurst Park District, where I am Co-Chair of the Finance Committee and serve as the Board's Legislative Liaison. I am also an Illinois Association of Park Districts Distinguished Board Member."

Accomplishments: "As Managing Director of the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation, I led the team that raised more than $414,000 for Phase 1 of Prairie Path Park. … In 2026, the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce Board elected me Treasurer, another reflection of the trust I have built within the community."

She also cited her Master Naturalist certification: "I know what is in our preserves and why protecting these natural systems matters."

On the issues

Why she says she is different: "I roll up my sleeves and do the work. I bring more than 20 years of professional parks and recreation experience, not only board service. As a Certified Park and Recreation Executive and Illinois Master Naturalist, I bring both management expertise and firsthand knowledge of the ecosystems we are entrusted to protect."

Smentek said she is endorsed by Forest Preserve President Daniel Hebreard and Commissioners Jeff Gahris, Rick Gieser, Tina Tyson-Dunne and Barbara O'Meara.

Environment and stewardship: Smentek said she wants to pass the preserves on "in even better condition than we received them," including "using taxpayer dollars responsibly, and investing in renewable energy and sustainable practices where they make sense." On her campaign website, she also said she would work to acquire new lands in alignment with the district's Land Preservation Plan and support habitat restoration.

Trails and access: Smentek said "protecting additional land and improving trail connections are especially important to me."

Best advice: "My mom, Jeanine Smentek, often said, 'If you didn't grow and change, life would be boring.' She encouraged us to pursue our dreams, live fully, and uplift and care for our neighbors, other living creatures, and Mother Nature."