Board of Commissioners
Board function
The Board of Commissioners is made up of 22 members elected from 11 Board Districts that comprise Will County. The Board approves Forest Preserve District resolutions that come out of the Board's Finance Committee, Operations Committee, and Ad Hoc Rules Committee. It is also responsible for establishing all rules and regulations that govern the Forest Preserve District of Will County.
Board membership
President: Destinee Ortiz
Vice President: Judy Ogalla
Treasurer: Julie Berkowicz
Secretary: Mica Freeman
Board meetings
The Board of Commissioners meets the second Thursday of each month (unless changed by the Board) at 9 a.m.
Board meetings are held on the second floor of the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St. in Joliet. View a Google Map of the meeting location.
Board meetings are open to the public, and anyone who wishes to address the Board may do so at these meetings.
View Board meeting documents, including agendas and minutes.
You may also view meeting schedule for 2025 or view meeting documents for the Board’s two standing Committees, the Finance Committee the Operations Committee, or the Ad Hoc Rules Committee.
View Ad Hoc Rules Committee meeting documents, including agendas and minutes.
Board of Commissioners directory
The Forest Preserve District's Board of Commissioners consists of 22 members, two each from 11 Board Districts. Below is each of the Commissioners' contact information and Committee assignments.
If you are unsure what Board District you live in, visit the Will County Clerk's website.
District 1
Katie Deane-Schlottman
1312 Benham Drive
Joliet, IL 60431
708-516-0495 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Deane-Schlottman has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2023.
She serves as the Chair of the Operations Committee and also serves on the Ad Hoc Rules Committee.
Joe VanDuyne
841 Wilshire Court
Wilmington, IL 60481
815-530-4388 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner VanDuyne has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2018.
He serves on the Finance Committee.
District 2
Judy Ogalla
28560 S. Will Center Road
Monee, IL 60449
708-710-3701 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Ogalla has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2012.
She serves as Vice President of the Board.
Frankie Pretzel
348 E. Joliet Highway
New Lenox, IL 60451
815-405-9054 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Pretzel has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2020.
He serves as Vice Chair of the Ad Hoc Rules Committee and also serves on the Operations Committee.
District 3
Daniel Butler
209 Center Road
Frankfort, IL 60423
708-805-0156 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Butler has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2022.
He serves on the Operations Committee.
Sherry Newquist
3511 Union Avenue
Steger, IL 60475
708-280-9453 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Newquist has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2018.
She serves as Chair of the Finance Committee.
District 4
Steve Balich
12259 Derby Lane
Orland Park, IL 60467
815-557-7196 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Balich has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2012.
He serves on the Operations Committee.
Jim Richmond
19712 Therese Lane
Mokena, IL 60448
708-308-3205
[email protected]
Commissioner Richmond has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2022.
He serves on the Finance Committee.
District 5
David G. Oxley
737 MacGregor Road
Lockport, IL 60441
815-210-1195 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Oxley has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2024.
He serves on the Finance Committee.
Sherry Williams
1441 Berta Drive
Crest Hill, IL 60403
815-354-7291 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Williams has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2022.
She serves on the Operations Committee and the Ad Hoc Rules Committee.
District 6
Herbert Brooks Jr.
15 Longwood Drive
Joliet, IL 60421
815-592-9982 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Brooks previously served on the Board of Commissioners for 15 years and was relected in 2024.
He serves as Chair of the Ad Hoc Rules Committee and also serves on the Finance Committee.
Denise Winfrey
1108 Richards Street
Joliet, IL 60433
815-258-2403
[email protected]
Commissioner Winfrey has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2008.
She serves on the Finance Committee.
District 7
Dawn Bullock
2053 Sanborn Circle
Plainfield, IL 60586
708-769-4246 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Bullock has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2024.
She serves on the Operations Committee.
Vince Logan
3505 Old Renwick Trail
Joliet, IL 60435
815-407-7171 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Logan has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2022.
He serves as Vice Chair on the Finance Committee.
District 8
Mica Freeman
16134 S. George Court
Plainfield, IL 60586
217-474-5565 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Freeman has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2020.
She serves as Secretary of the Board.
Mark Revis
13713 S. Quail Run Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
815-556-9762 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Revis has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2022.
He serves on the Finance Committee.
District 9
Raquel Mitchell
553 Sonoma Drive
Bolingbrook, IL 60490
630-936-9578 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Mitchell has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2020.
She serves on the Finance Committee.
Destinee Ortiz
708 Geneva Avenue
Romeoville, IL 60446
815-618-5227 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Ortiz has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2022.
She serves as President of the Board.
District 10
Julie Berkowicz
405 Gateshead Drive
Naperville, IL 60565
630-881-3139 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Berkowicz has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2018.
She serves as Treasurer of the Board.
Kelly Hickey
1515 Conan Doyle Road
Naperville, IL 60564
630-254-4211 Office
[email protected]
Commissioner Hickey has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2024.
She serves as Vice Chair of the Operations Committee.
District 11
Elnalyn Costa
433 Delaware Circle
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
708-302-3808 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Costa has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2022.
She serves on the Operations Committee.
Jacqueline Traynere
1109 Jennifer Lane
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
630-783-0929 Home
630-240-9178 Cell
[email protected]
Commissioner Traynere has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2008.
She serves on the Operations Committee.
Mission
The Forest Preserve District protects and enhances Will County’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
Motto
Bringing People and Nature Together
Guiding principles
- Staying true to our purpose.
- Being good stewards.
- Connecting people and nature.
- Focusing on wellness.
- Working with others.
- Promoting sustainability.